Braxton Jennings is back in the mix for Louisville, and after what he flashed against Kentucky last year, he’s no longer just a name buried on the depth chart.
Jennings, listed at 5’11” and 195 pounds, enters the season as a redshirt freshman from Ashland, KY wearing No. 32. He’s part of a running back room that looks crowded on paper, but he already proved he can answer when called upon.
That performance against Kentucky is the one that changed the conversation. Jennings came in as what the source describes as the “fourth(?)”
string back, then helped deliver a breakout day alongside Boykins as the two combined to hammer the Wildcats in a 41-0 win that effectively closed the book on the Stoops era at Kentucky. Jennings wasn’t supposed to be a headliner in that one.
He became one anyway.
He got additional work in the bowl game with Issac back in the lineup, and now he’s trying to build on what he showed in 2025. The challenge is obvious: nearly everyone else is back, and Louisville also added Marquise Davis from Mizzou. Issac is drawing preseason attention for national awards, Keyjuan is still doing Keyjuan things, and Jennings is fighting for every carry.
Still, there’s value in having a back like Jennings available. The expectation here is that he’ll get situational carries, and the staff can take some comfort in knowing there’s a player deep in the room who already showed he can produce in a big spot.
Abundance of talent, and Jennings has run it back.
In Other News...
Louisville Fall Camp Hinges On A Quarterback Twist Brian Brohm Wants
Louisvilles fall camp opens with the quarterback room already drawing the most attention, and the Cardinals have a new face at the top of the conversation. Transfer Lincoln Kienholz arrives from Ohio State to lead a mix that also includes Devin Wydner, freshman Briggs Cherry and walk-on Ryan Zimmerman, giving offensive coordinator Brian Brohm a group with different levels of experience but one clear source of uncertainty the staff wants sorted early.
Brohms comments made it clear the competition is about more than just naming a starter, because Louisville wants a quarterback who can help shape the offense in multiple ways. Kienholz brings dual-threat ability and leadership into the equation, and the way the Cardinals handle that fit will matter as camp unfolds with Ole Miss waiting to open the 2026 season. [Read more 🡒]
Louisvilles 2026-27 Slate Is Starting To Reveal Pat Kelseys Plan
Louisvilles 2026-27 nonconference schedule is starting to take shape, and the latest additions fit the sort of December tune-up pattern that often reveals how a staff wants to manage its roster. The Cardinals have added home games at the KFC Yum! Center against Long Island on Dec. 16 and Eastern Michigan on Dec. 19, giving Pat Kelsey another pair of chances to keep his team in rhythm before the grind of league play arrives.
Both visiting programs will receive $100,000 for the trips, which is a fairly standard arrangement for games like these and a reminder of how much of the early schedule is built around balance, budgeting and timing. Louisville still has more of its slate to be finalized, but these two additions help clarify the shape of the season and offer another glimpse at how Kelsey is piecing together the calendar around his broader plan. [Read more 🡒]