Louisville’s offseason overhaul has already turned heads, but don’t be surprised if Jeff Brohm and company aren’t quite finished yet. With 30 new players already added through the transfer portal - 14 on offense, 14 on defense, and two on special teams - the Cardinals have built one of the most aggressive and impressive portal classes in the country. And while the portal window has officially closed, there’s still room to maneuver, especially with recent developments involving one high-profile name.
The Cardinals’ transfer class has been ranked as high as No. 4 nationally, a big reason why expectations around this program are surging heading into the 2026 season. In several way-too-early rankings, Louisville isn’t just sneaking into the top 25 - they’re firmly planted in the top 15. ESPN, for instance, has them slotted at No. 14, making them the second-highest-ranked team in the ACC.
So what’s next? Well, the door hasn’t completely shut.
Programs like Miami and Indiana - both fresh off appearances in the National Championship - are still operating under an extended portal window. And that’s where things get interesting for Louisville.
One of Miami’s highly touted freshmen, safety Amari Wallace, has just entered the portal following the Hurricanes’ loss to Indiana. Wallace was a consensus four-star recruit in the 2025 class and a name Louisville fans might recognize - because Jeff Brohm was heavily involved in his recruitment not too long ago.
Wallace had the Cardinals in his final four before ultimately choosing Miami over Louisville, LSU, and Auburn. It wasn’t a quiet recruitment either. He held more than 28 offers from some of the biggest names in college football - Alabama, Florida, Oklahoma, Texas, Tennessee, USC - the list goes on.
And he didn’t just have interest from Louisville - he had history. Wallace made multiple visits to campus, including an unofficial in the summer of 2023 and another in April 2024 that he reportedly called “amazing.”
He followed that up with an official visit in June 2024. But after visiting Miami more than 10 times, he committed to the Hurricanes.
Now, with Wallace back on the market, Louisville has a second chance - and the timing couldn’t be better. The Cardinals could use some added depth at cornerback, and Wallace fits the bill perfectly. He’s a 5-foot-11, 180-pound defensive back who showed real flashes of playmaking ability before injuries slowed his momentum.
As a sophomore in high school, Wallace posted 44 tackles, 10 pass breakups, and two interceptions - a breakout year that put him on the national radar. He followed that up with 28 tackles, three picks, and a forced fumble as a junior. Unfortunately, he missed his senior season due to injury, but his talent and upside remain clear.
While Wallace didn’t record any stats during his freshman year at Miami, that’s not uncommon for young DBs in deep position rooms. What matters now is the opportunity. And with his prior relationship with Brohm and the Louisville staff, there’s a real chance the Cardinals could be major players in his recruitment once again.
Looking ahead, there’s even more to be excited about. If Louisville can land Wallace, he could eventually form a dynamic tandem with their elite 2027 cornerback commit, giving the Cardinals a potentially lethal secondary down the line.
Bottom line: Wallace checks a lot of boxes - talent, familiarity with the program, and positional need. If Brohm and his staff want to make one more splash this offseason, this might be the move that puts the finishing touch on an already standout portal class.