days
hours minutes seconds
until
Louisville vs. Ole Miss
The countdown to Cardinal football is on. Louisville opens the season in a marquee matchup with Ole Miss in Nashville on Labor Day Weekend, and opening with a high level opponent means the Cards have to be on their A-game right off the bat. The Cardinals were able to retain stars and solid contributors on the defensive side of the ball following a much-improved season for the unit. The defense also added several high-impact transfers who will make an immediate difference; when you combine the returning core with the transfers, this Cardinal defense is poised to find itself at the top of the ACC once again. Let’s take a look at the names you need to know on defense and special teams!
Significant Staff Change
First and foremost, turnover on the defense didn’t just come on the field. It was announced a week after the Bush’s Boca Raton Bowl that Defensive Coordinator Ron English would step away for the 2026 season to support his son Seth, who is entering his final season at Navy. It is undetermined whether English will return to the staff in 2027, but for now, Steve Ellis and Mark Ivey are taking over Co-Defensive Coordinator duties. The Cardinals are expected to continue to run a 4-2-5/ 4-3 defensive scheme.
Defensive Ends
This room is one of the strongest position groups on this Louisville defense, and features one of the ACC’s top pass-rushing units. Clev Lubin returns as the leader of the defense after earning Third Team All-ACC honors and finishing with 8.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, and 59 total tackles in 2025. With his combination of burst, power, and strength, Lubin enters the season as one of the conference’s premier defensive players and a potential first-round NFL Draft pick. Louisville added one of the ACC’s most underrated pass rushers in Tyler Thompson, who broke out last season at North Carolina with seven sacks. Thompson gives the Cardinals a dangerous complement to Lubin; being extremely versatile, he may play on the opposite end as Lubin or slide to LB. Both Thompson and Lubin will mostly see time at the LEO position, a hybrid between EDGE and linebacker. AJ Green returns after an impressive redshirt sophomore campaign that included four sacks and 31 tackles (six tackles for loss), and becoming one of the rising stars of the defense. Rounding out the room is Kentucky transfer Jerod Smith, a former four-star recruit who brings SEC experience and helps to provide quality depth in the rotation. Smith played in all 12 games last year for UK and recorded 27 tackles and a sack. With stars and quality depth, Louisville’s defensive ends will be a force to be reckoned with in the ACC.
Defensive Tackles
Louisville entirely revamped its group of defensive tackles through the transfer portal, adding a trio of players who will strengthen the interior line. Purdue transfer Demeco Kennedy appeared in all 12 games for the Boilermakers last season and emerged as one of their rising defensive linemen. In Week 1 against Ball State, he ranked fifth in the country in highest pressure per pass rush with 30% (PFSN). Kennedy finished the year with 21 tackles. Joshua Donald arrives after spending last season at Houston; however, he most recently saw action at Appalachian State, where he recorded 3 sacks and 5.5 tackles for loss in 2024. Donald enters 2026 with plenty to prove and the opportunity to carve out a significant role. Transfer Keon Webb is making his arrival to Louisville from the JUCO ranks. Webb recorded 37 tackles (six tackles for loss) and two sacks last year for Garden City Community College. Lastly, Miami (FL) transfer Daylen Russell, a former Miami-Dade county Defensive Player of the Year in 2022, whose athletic upside made him a highly regarded recruit. That season, he recorded 84 tackles, 10 sacks, and led Christopher Columbus High School to their second championship in a row. After seeing limited action with the Hurricanes, Russell will look to translate his potential into production for the Cardinals. While the room lacks established high-level production, or a star, Louisville has added high-upside transfers who should provide a solid rotation along the interior defensive line.
Linebackers + STAR
Louisville brings back an experienced and versatile linebacker group of Stanquan Clark and TJ Capers. Clark looks to bounce back after a fractured ankle limited him for much of last season, only playing in five games and recording just 19 tackles. When healthy, he is one of the defense’s most important players. In 2024, he totaled 76 tackles, two forced fumbles, and two interceptions. With two years of eligibility remaining, Clark has the tools to become the X-factor for the defense. Next to Clark, TJ Capers looks to make a splash in 2026. Capers started seven games in 2025 and finished with 46 tackles, three tackles for loss, and the game-sealing interception against No. 2 Miami. The former five-star recruit enters his redshirt junior season poised for a breakout year.
The STAR position, aka the nickelback, is led by one of Louisville’s most versatile and impactful defenders in Antonio Watts. Despite having his 2025 season cut short by a knee injury, Watts earned Honorable Mention All-ACC honors after recording 42 tackles (6.5 for loss), two sacks, two forced fumbles, and a team-leading three interceptions in just 10 games. Capable of lining up at both linebacker and safety, Watts’ versatility makes him a key piece of the Cardinals’ defense, and a perfect fit to fill the STAR role. Louisville welcomes back veteran Ben Perry, who returns after a season at UCLA. Perry was granted a medical redshirt after only playing one game in 2025, but his previous four-year career with the Cardinals showcased his meaning to the defense. He totaled 132 career tackles at Louisville while playing multiple roles, Perry provides great depth and is expected to see most time at the STAR position.
Cornerbacks
The cornerback room is one of Louisville’s deepest rooms, but with depth, questions arise. This room has a variety of unproven newcomers who are eager to make their mark. Tayon Holloway returns as the Cardinals’ CB1 after earning Honorable Mention All-ACC honors in 2025, recording a career-high 42 tackles and two interceptions while grading as one of the ACC’s top cornerbacks (per PFSN). Holloway is in store for a big year in his final year of eligibility. Kentucky transfer DJ Waller Jr. brings great upside after injuries limited him to just two games last season. The former Michigan defensive back was named Defensive Freshman of the Week for the Wolverines’ during their national championship season and could be in line for a career year if he stays healthy. In 2024, Waller played in seven games and posted 13 tackles and two pass breakups for the Wildcats. Louisville also added former South Carolina corner Myles Norwood. In 2025, he recorded 19 tackles while playing in 10 games. In 2024 with Ball State, he tallied 38 tackles, a fumble recovery, and a team-high 10 pass breakups. After having a somewhat disappointing season with SC, Norwood can step into a big role with the Cardinals’ secondary. Brycen Scott comes to Louisville by way of Elon. Last year, he totaled 35 tackles, seven pass breakups, and was also involved in the punt return game, a role he could see limited time in. He played in 20 games over two years for the Phoenix and looks to take the next step at the power four level. Santana Wilson was a highly-touted four-star recruit out of high school who hasn’t seen much playing time in college. He redshirted his freshman season with Texas, and in 2025 he only played in two games, recording one tackle. Wilson has three years of eligibility remaining and looks to make a big stride in his new home. Finally, Jaydin Broadnax is a four-star true freshman who was the Cardinals’ highest-rated recruit in the 2026 class. He has good size, is built to play physical, and uses length well in coverage. Broadnax recorded 116 career tackles and 4 interceptions in high school. It may take him some time to get going, whether that’s at the corner or safety, but Broadnax may very well be an impact player for years to come.
Safeties
The safety room underwent a significant overhaul through the transfer portal and is headlined by one of Louisville’s biggest offseason additions in Koen Entringer. The former Iowa team captain earned Honorable Mention All-Big Ten honors after starting all 13 games in 2025 and, recording 73 tackles, four pass breakups, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery. Entringer brings proven production and leadership to a position that needs reinforcements and he will make an immediate impact in the ACC. If you want to know the type of player he is, check out the video linked below. Louisville also added two former SEC defensive backs with plenty of upside in Kaleb Beasley and TJ Banks. Beasley, a former four-star recruit from Tennessee, appeared in all 13 games last season, collecting 24 tackles and a fumble return for a TD; he joins Louisville with three years of eligibility remaining. Banks, another former four-star prospect, played in 14 games for Ole Miss in 2025, including the Rebels’ College Football Playoff run. He totaled 20 tackles and a pass breakup in 2025, and adds more high-level experience to the secondary. Louisville native and Trinity graduate Blake Ruffin has battled injuries and limited playing time since returning home. Prior to joining the Cardinals, Ruffin was one of the top defensive backs in the FCS at Eastern Illinois, earning Associated Press FCS All-American Second Team honors in 2023. Ruffin has the experience to provide valuable depth at the position, as well as potentially seeing time at the STAR. While the Cardinals are relying heavily on transfers at the position, the combination of Entringer’s production with the potential of Beasley and Banks gives Louisville a quality safety group entering 2026.
Special Teams Notes
Louisville lost its go-to kicker in Cooper Ranvier to Tennessee, and his absence has been felt so far. The performances on display in the Spring Game were concerning enough that Jeff Brohm went back into the portal in early May to grab Rhode Island kicker Garth White, who went 14/18 on attempts last year, with a long of 54 yards. Louisville’s long-range kicker Nick Keller returns and freshman Carson Hilbert, who also has a booming leg, is added to the mix. It is too early to name a starter here, but all may see some action this year. The only certainty on special teams is that Jacob Barker will be punting. Barker was previously with Eastern Kentucky, where in 2024 he earned First Team All-UAC honors. Barker averaged 43 yards per punt and has a career-long 70-yarder.
A Defense With High Expectations
Louisville’s defense took a notable step forward in 2025, improving from 64th nationally in total defense (yards allowed per game) in 2024 to 16th, according to NCAA Statistics. With key contributors like Clev Lubin, Antonio Watts, and Stanquan Clark returning, along with impact additions Tyler Thompson and Koen Entringer, the Cardinals have the talent and experience to field one of the ACC’s top defenses yet again. If the new pieces mesh quickly and the unit continues its upward trajectory, Louisville will have one of the conference’s most complete defensive groups this season, which will go a long way toward their playoff aspirations.
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