Louisville football may have just wrapped up its 2025 campaign, but the work never stops - especially not on the recruiting trail. With head coach Jeff Brohm staying put despite some serious interest from Michigan, the Cardinals can now turn their full attention to the Transfer Portal and future recruiting classes. And while most eyes are on immediate reinforcements, Louisville just scored a win that could pay off down the line.
The Cardinals have made the final 12 for one of the top defensive prospects in the 2027 class: edge rusher T.K. Cunningham out of Grayson High School in Georgia.
At 6-foot-5 and 230 pounds, Cunningham is the kind of physical presence that jumps off the tape - long, athletic, and disruptive off the edge. He’s already received more than 49 offers, and Louisville is now in the mix with some of the biggest names in college football.
We’re talking about an elite group here. Louisville is battling it out with the likes of LSU, Oklahoma, Florida State, Florida, USC, Michigan, and more.
That’s SEC and Big Ten heavyweights, plus a few ACC rivals - and yet the Cardinals are holding their own. In fact, only Florida State joins Louisville as ACC representatives in Cunningham’s final 12.
Cunningham is ranked as high as No. 370 nationally, slotted at No. 30 among edge rushers, and considered the No. 41 overall player in the state of Georgia. That’s a loaded recruiting region, and Grayson High is a known powerhouse when it comes to producing Division I talent. So when a kid like Cunningham includes your program on a shortlist like this, it’s a sign that your recruiting efforts are resonating.
Louisville offered Cunningham back in April 2025, getting in early on what’s become a national recruitment. Florida State has already hosted him for an unofficial visit, and the next step for Louisville is clear: get him on campus.
The spring and summer months are going to be pivotal. With Cunningham finishing up his junior season, there’s a good chance he’ll try to lock in a commitment before his senior year kicks off - and official visits could be the difference-maker.
The Cardinals are already off to a solid start with their 2027 class. They’ve secured commitments from 4-star quarterback Jack Sorgi and 4-star wide receiver Chuck Alexander, giving them a strong offensive foundation.
As of now, that 2027 class ranks No. 24 in the country, according to 247Sports. Adding a high-upside defensive anchor like Cunningham would be a major boost - not just for the rankings, but for the long-term identity of the defense.
Louisville’s recruiting momentum is real, and the staff is clearly casting a wide net while staying competitive with some of the sport’s blue bloods. The battle for T.K.
Cunningham is far from over, but the Cardinals have positioned themselves well. Now it’s about building the relationship, getting that visit, and showing Cunningham why Louisville could be the place for him to thrive.
Stay tuned - this is the kind of recruitment that can shape a class, and the Cardinals are right in the thick of it.