Louisville Reloads Through the Portal: 3 Transfers Set to Shine in 2026
Louisville football heads into the 2026 season with momentum-and expectations. Ranked as high as No. 14 in ESPN’s way-too-early rankings, the Cardinals are building off a strong foundation under head coach Jeff Brohm.
A big reason for the optimism? A Transfer Portal haul that’s not just deep-it’s loaded with impact talent.
Brohm didn’t just dip into the portal-he dove in headfirst, bringing in 30 transfers to reshape the roster after losing several key starters on both sides of the ball. And while the volume is impressive, the quality stands out even more. Multiple 4-star transfers headline the group, and several are poised to step in and contribute immediately, especially in a high-stakes Week 1 matchup against Ole Miss in Nashville.
Let’s break down three portal additions who are expected to make an instant impact for the Cardinals this fall.
3. Koen Entringer - Safety, Iowa Transfer
Louisville’s secondary took some heavy hits this offseason, losing its top three safeties from last year’s squad. Enter Koen Entringer, a seasoned defensive back from Iowa who brings both production and leadership to a unit in transition.
Entringer is coming off a breakout year with the Hawkeyes, where he earned All-Big Ten honors after racking up 73 tackles, four pass breakups, 3.5 tackles for loss, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery. Those aren’t just solid numbers-they’re the kind of stats that speak to a player who’s always around the ball and isn’t afraid to get physical.
At 6-foot-1 and 210 pounds, Entringer brings size, toughness, and a high football IQ to Louisville’s defense. Just as importantly, he was a captain in every game for Iowa last season-a sign of how much his presence means in the locker room. With a brand-new safety group in place, Entringer isn’t just expected to contribute-he’s expected to lead.
2. Tre Richardson - Wide Receiver, Vanderbilt Transfer
If you’re looking for Louisville’s biggest splash in the portal, it might be Tre Richardson. The former Vanderbilt wideout checks in as the Cardinals’ top-rated transfer addition and is already penciled in as the team’s new WR1 following the departures of Chris Bell and Caullin Lacy to the NFL Draft.
Richardson brings SEC-tested production to the table. He led the Commodores last season with 806 receiving yards and seven touchdowns on 46 catches. At 5-foot-11 and 175 pounds, he’s not the biggest target, but don’t let the frame fool you-Richardson has game-breaking speed and can stretch the field in a hurry.
Brohm’s offense has always thrived with dynamic receivers who can create separation and turn short gains into explosive plays. Richardson fits that mold perfectly. With his ability to get vertical and take the top off a defense, he’s set to be a key piece in what could be one of the most explosive offenses in the ACC this season.
1. Lincoln Kienholz - Quarterback, Ohio State Transfer
Let’s be clear: Louisville needed a quarterback. After Miller Moss graduated and three QBs hit the portal, the Cardinals were staring at a major hole under center. That changed when Brohm landed Lincoln Kienholz, a former 4-star recruit from Ohio State who brings serious upside.
Kienholz didn’t get many reps in Columbus, but that doesn’t mean the talent isn’t there. He was a top-10 quarterback in the 2023 recruiting class and put up video game numbers in high school: 86 touchdowns to just 12 interceptions over his final two seasons, and 9,100 total yards with 104 touchdowns across three years as a starter.
He was in the mix to start at Ohio State last season before Ryan Day ultimately went with Julian Sayin, but the competition showed that Kienholz wasn’t far off. Now, he steps into a Louisville system tailored for quarterback development. Brohm has a track record of maximizing QB talent, and Kienholz could be his next success story.
There’s pressure, no doubt. But there’s also opportunity. With a strong supporting cast and a coach who knows how to unlock a quarterback’s full potential, Kienholz is in a prime position to lead one of the ACC’s most dangerous offenses.
Final Thoughts
Louisville didn’t just reload-they retooled with purpose. The combination of returning talent like Isaac Brown and a top-tier transfer class gives the Cardinals a real shot to make noise nationally in 2026. Entringer, Richardson, and Kienholz aren’t just plug-and-play additions-they’re potential stars in a system built to win now.
Circle that Week 1 matchup against Ole Miss. It’s not just an early test-it’s a chance for this new-look Louisville squad to show the rest of the country that they’re not just climbing-they’ve arrived.