College athletics today are very much a “year-to-year” business. The old model of players committing to a school for three or four years is long gone, replaced by the transfer portal and NIL deals that reshape rosters each offseason. For programs in the Power Four, the challenge isn’t just recruiting anymore — it’s rebuilding and maintaining depth every single year in order to compete for conference championships and College Football Playoff berths.
Louisville football is no exception. The Cardinals lost major production on both sides of the ball after the 2024 season. Head coach Jeff Brohm entered the offseason with plenty on his plate after seeing quarterback Tyler Shough, wide receiver Ja’Corey Brooks, and star edge rusher Ashton Gillotte depart.