days
hours minutes seconds
until
Louisville vs. Ole Miss
The above countdown is the time between us and Cardinal Football. Louisville opens with Ole Miss on September 6 at 7:30 EST in the Liberty Mutual Music City Kickoff. Last year’s Louisville offense was a letdown, and after a great offseason, Louisville enters year four of the Brohm era with its sights set high. Because of significant roster turnover this offseason, the Cardinals were forced to replace several key offensive starters and responded by putting together 247 Sports’ 13th-ranked Transfer Portal class. Thanks to talent old and new, Louisville is one of the ACC’s most intriguing teams in 2026. Let’s take a look at the position groups and some players you need to know on offense.
Quarterbacks
Jeff Brohm wasted little time finding his next quarterback from the portal, landing former Ohio State Buckeye Lincoln Kienholz. Kienholz spent three seasons in Columbus and battled Heisman finalist Julian Sayin for the starting job in 2025. While he saw limited action in 2025, he was able to post some quality numbers; he completed 11/14 passes for 139 yards and a touchdown and added on 66 rushing yards and two scores. His upside makes him an intriguing fit in Louisville’s offense. The South Dakota native has seen little action in his college career but has a high ceiling with tremendous athleticism and a strong motor. While a potentially risky move to bring in Kienholz, it certainly has the opportunity to pay off big. Behind him is former West Georgia quarterback Davin Wydner, who projects as the primary backup after throwing for 1,667 yards and 15 touchdowns while rushing for 441 yards and three touchdowns in 2025. Wydner, a 6-foot-5 dual threat, brings experience, size, and no lack of arm talent, giving Louisville a quarterback room with plenty of potential despite its lack of proven high-level production.
Running Backs
The running back room should once again be one of Louisville’s greatest strengths and one of the nation’s premier backfields. Isaac Brown returns after earning Third Team All-ACC honors last season, rushing for 884 yards and seven touchdowns in just nine games. The 2024 ACC Rookie of the Year is among the most explosive players in college football, and if he stays healthy, he has the potential for a very special season. Brown missed four games in November with a lower-leg injury before returning to play in the Bush’s Boca Raton Bowl. Alongside him, Keyjuan Brown provides another dynamic option after rushing for 704 yards and six touchdowns while averaging 7.3 yards per carry a season ago. Together, the duo gives Louisville one of the top running back tandems in the entire country. Adding even more depth is transfer Marquise Davis, a former four-star recruit who appeared in three games at Missouri before arriving with four years of eligibility remaining. Braxton Jennings returns after an impressive redshirt freshman campaign highlighted by a 113-yard performance against Kentucky that earned him the Howard Schnellenberger MVP award and a scholarship. With proven stars, promising young talent, and quality depth, the Cardinals boast one of the deepest running back rooms in the country. There is no doubt that RB coach Chris Barclay can sleep well at night.
Wide Receivers
Louisville’s receiving corps will feature several new faces, led by Vanderbilt star transfer Tre Richardson. The senior is coming off an 806-yard, seven-touchdown season while averaging 17.5 yards per reception, ranking in the top 30 nationally. A dynamic deep threat and kick returner, Richardson is expected to fill a role similar to Caullin Lacy’s in Jeff Brohm’s offense, providing the ability to change the game with one play. Richardson finds himself with an extra year of eligibility following the NCAA’s new five-for-five ruling, meaning he could come back for the 2027 season if he does not declare for the NFL Draft. Florida State transfer Lawayne McCoy projects as the Cardinals’ No. 2 receiver after totaling 396 yards and three touchdowns in 2025, finishing the season on a strong note, having a career game of six receptions for 110 yards and a touchdown in Week 14 against Florida. McCoy brings length, athleticism, and significant upside with three years of eligibility remaining. TreyShun Hurry returns after recording 122 receiving yards and a touchdown in his first season at Louisville, showing promise late in the year following Chris Bell’s injury. With more than 1,000 career receiving yards and experience behind talented receivers at both San Jose State and Louisville, Hurry should be poised for a larger role after withdrawing from the transfer portal. Rounding out the group is Drake transfer Jackson Voth, who led the Bulldogs with 600 receiving yards and five touchdowns while not recording a drop, earning All-Pioneer League Honorable Mention. With injuries expected to sideline Kris Hughes and Montavin Quisenberry for the 2026 season, Voth can be expected to play a sizable role in the offense after an impressive spring.
Tight Ends
The tight end room has the potential to be one of the most productive position groups on the offense, headlined by Tulsa transfer Brody Foley. A First Team All-AAC selection and one of the top-rated tight ends in the transfer portal, Foley recorded 37 receptions for 528 yards and seven touchdowns last season while leading Tulsa in both receiving yards and touchdowns. He also ranked second among FBS tight ends in receiving touchdowns and was utilized as a short-yardage runner, with two rushing scores. At 6-foot-6 and 260 pounds, Foley is positioned to become one of Lincoln Kienholz’s favorite targets. Returning is Jaleel Skinner, who totaled 21 receptions for 204 yards and two touchdowns in 2025. His physicality paired with his speed creates difficult matchups for defenders, and Louisville could utilize him more frequently as a wide receiver this season. Rounding out the room is Tulane transfer Justyn Reid, who caught 17 passes for 200 yards and three touchdowns last year while establishing himself as a quality run blocker. With Foley, Skinner, and Reid, the Cardinals have a deep and versatile tight end room capable of impacting both the passing and running game.
Offensive Line
Despite having to replace most of the unit, Louisville’s offensive line shapes up nicely, bringing plenty of experience from the portal. Delaware transfer tackle Anwar O’Neal arrives after earning All-Conference USA Honorable Mention honors and being a two-year starter. O’Neal was one of the most in-demand tackles from the portal; he has logged 1,702 career snaps and was one of the highest graded tackles in the CUSA per PFF. Unfortunately, a spring injury leaves his availability for the start of the season uncertain. Boston College transfer guard Eryx Daugherty is expected to make an immediate impact after allowing just one sack (according to PFF) in 646 snaps last season while grading among the ACC’s top guards and top linemen in the portal. Lance Robinson returns after earning All-ACC Honorable Mention honors and is set to transition from guard to center following a season in which he surrendered only one sack while starting all 13 games. Evan Wibberley comes in from Kentucky, where he saw limited action last year after previously starting every game at center for Western Kentucky in 2024. That season, he did not allow a sack and had one of the best pass blocking grades in FBS. Georgia Southern transfer Johnnie Brown III is another proven veteran after earning All-Sun Belt Third Team honors and allowing just three sacks last season at tackle. Finally, South Carolina transfer tackle Cason Henry returns from a shoulder injury after starting all 13 games in 2024. If Henry stays healthy, he can be a force on the line. Exactly how the offensive line will shake out is to be seen, but the Cardinals have a solid core in a re-tooled group.
A New-Look Offense
Louisville’s offense features proven returners and impactful newcomers. Running back Isaac Brown enters the season looking to stay healthy and put together a Heisman-caliber campaign, while quarterback Lincoln Kienholz aims to establish himself as a capable P4 starter. He’ll be supported by transfer additions Tre Richardson and Brody Foley among others, along with a new offensive line. After finishing 46th nationally and ninth in the ACC in scoring offense last season, the Cardinals have the pieces to take a step forward in 2026.
If you’ve ever needed better online security and wanted to save a ton of money while doing so, make sure you check out this link! We’ve partnered with NordVPN to get you 65%+ off at the link below. Sansom Sports Media is happy to partner with them to keep our connections safe, and you should consider it as well!
https://go.nordvpn.net/aff_c?offer_id=1002&aff_id=147031