Louisville Loses Star Edge Rusher AJ Green to Transfer Portal - Now Eyes Turn to UNC’s Tyler Thompson
Louisville’s defense just took a major hit. Edge rusher AJ Green, one of the most productive players on the Cardinals’ roster in 2025, has officially entered the transfer portal - and that’s a loss that’s going to sting.
Green was coming off a breakout season, leading the charge on defense with 31 tackles, six tackles for loss, five sacks, a forced fumble, and even a blocked kick. He was disruptive, explosive, and consistently one of the most impactful players on the field. Now, with his departure, Louisville has a sizable hole to fill off the edge - and not a lot of time to do it.
The transfer portal opens January 2 and runs through January 16, giving head coach Jeff Brohm and his staff a two-week window to find reinforcements. And while there are plenty of names entering the portal this winter, one stands out above the rest as a natural fit for the Cardinals: North Carolina’s Tyler Thompson.
Why Tyler Thompson Makes Sense for Louisville
Let’s start with the basics. Thompson, a redshirt sophomore, just wrapped up his best season at North Carolina, and like Green, he did it with a bang. He notched 17 tackles, seven sacks, two forced fumbles, and a pass deflection - showing off a blend of speed, power, and awareness that made him one of the few bright spots on a Tar Heels defense that struggled in 2025.
At 6-foot-4, 225 pounds, Thompson brings the size and athleticism that translates well to Louisville’s defensive scheme. He’s long, rangy, and has a knack for getting into the backfield - exactly what the Cardinals need to replace Green’s production on the edge.
Coming out of high school, Thompson was no slouch on the recruiting trail either. He was a top-300 national recruit, ranked No. 290 overall and No. 11 in the state of North Carolina. He was also one of the more highly regarded edge rushers in the 2023 class, ranked as high as No. 32 at his position, with over 18 scholarship offers to his name.
Fast forward to now, and Thompson is one of the most sought-after defensive players in the portal. He’s ranked No. 105 overall by 247 Sports and No. 62 overall (No. 7 among edge rushers) by On3 Sports. That kind of buzz isn’t just hype - it’s a reflection of the impact he made this past season and the upside he still brings with two years of eligibility remaining.
A Tough Loss, But a Clear Opportunity
There’s no sugarcoating it: losing AJ Green is a blow to Louisville’s defensive front. He was a tone-setter, a playmaker, and a leader on that side of the ball. But the portal taketh, and the portal giveth - and Thompson represents a real opportunity for the Cardinals to retool quickly.
Louisville has shown before that it can rebuild through the portal. Last offseason, Brohm and his staff were aggressive and strategic in bringing in talent, and it paid off. Now, they’ll need to do it again - and Thompson should be at the top of the board.
With his frame, production, and proven ability to get to the quarterback, Thompson fits the mold of what Louisville needs right now. He’s not just a stopgap - he’s a potential cornerstone for the next two seasons.
The countdown to January 2 is on. And if Louisville wants to stay competitive in the ACC and keep its defense humming, landing Thompson would be a huge first step.