By Vinny Porco

Louisville football’s star running back Isaac Brown announced his intention to enter his name into the NCAA transfer portal in a social media post Thursday morning.

Amidst praise for fans, staff and teammates, Brown wrote, “After much thought and prayer with my family, I will be entering the Transfer Portal during the January 2026 cycle as a DO NOT CONTACT.”

Brown joins a growing number of teammates who have also announced intentions to enter the NCAA transfer portal cycle beginning Jan. 2, 2026.

A notable player transferring at the running back position is Brown’s partner in the backfield, Duke Watson, another 2024 season standout for the Cardinals, who spent much of the 2025 season battling injuries.

Also joining Brown and Watson is recent breakout running back Shaun Boykins Jr., who stood out in Louisville’s rivalry game against the Kentucky Wildcats on Nov. 29, 2025, with 22 carries for 101 yards and a rushing touchdown.

Louisville running back Shaun Boykins Jr. is tackled around his waist by a Kentucky defender on Nov. 29, 2025, at L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium. (Raegan Beymer / The Louisville Cardinal)

At the quarterback position, backups Deuce Adams II, Brady Allen and Mason Mims have all announced their own intentions to transfer.

Brady Allen was notably one of three players to announce his intention to transfer before Louisville’s  appearance in the Boca Raton Bowl on Dec. 23, 2025. Safety Daeh McCullough was the first to announce his intention to transfer on Dec. 2, 2025 via social media, with hometown defensive lineman Selah Brown following suit on Dec. 17.

Other offensive players entering the Transfer Portal include receivers TreyShun Hurry and Kris Hughes, tight ends Nate Kurisky, Davon Mitchell and Grant Houser, and offensive linemen Ransom McDermott, James Glover-Tyson and Carter Guillaume.

Louisville tight end Nate Kurisky gears up for an Oct. 25, 2025 ACC football game against Boston College at L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium. (Vinny Porco / The Louisville Cardinal)

Headlining Louisville’s portal departures on the defensive end is standout edge rusher AJ Green, who ended his third season as a Cardinal with 31 combined tackles, six tackles for loss, four sacks and a fumble recovery touchdown.

Louisville edge rusher AJ Green rounds the corner to sack EKU quarterback Myles Burkett in an Aug. 30, 2025 home opener at L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium. (Vinny Porco / The Louisville Cardinal)

Following Green’s lead on defense are defensive linemen Chris Jones Jr. and Xavier Porter.

Defensive lineman Micah Carter’s status with the team remains in question, as his Dec. 26, 2025 social media announcement of his plan to transfer was followed by a post by Vince Marrow seeming to affirm Carter’s position on the team on Dec. 29, 2025, one which Carter himself reposted on the social media platform X.

Carter has not yet deleted several posts and reposts on X regarding his intention to transfer, and also has not yet released a statement further clarifying his status with the team.

What’s next in team-building?

Louisville football has a lot of ground to make up in the transfer portal.

Other departures due to players graduating or declaring for the 2026 NFL Draft leave the Cardinals without key pieces such as star receiver Chris Bell Jr. and standout center Pete Nygra.

Louisville receiver Chris Bell shows love to Louisville football fans after a receiving touchdown in an Oct. 4, 2025 ACC football loss to the Virginia Cavaliers at L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium. (Vinny Porco / The Louisville Cardinal)

In the wake of such major players’ departure, the Louisville football staff will need to address key holes in nearly all areas of the team, but especially the defensive line and offensive skill positions.

They will need to pursue a starting quarterback or at least a competent backup for incoming freshman Briggs Cherry. Additionally, the Cardinals will need to make several acquisitions at the receiver position to fulfill the other end of the Brohm passing offense.

Head Coach Jeff Brohm has been praised in the past for robust incoming transfer classes, but he will face arguably his toughest challenge to date as he goes into his fourth season at Louisville.

Feature Photo by Vinny Porco / The Louisville Cardinal