The 2025 season is officially in the books for Louisville football, and it ends with a familiar number in the win column: nine. After taking care of business against Toledo in the Boca Raton Bowl, the Cardinals wrapped up their second straight 9-4 campaign under Jeff Brohm. Now, the focus shifts from bowl season to Transfer Portal season - and for Louisville, that transition comes with both opportunity and urgency.
The Cardinals have already seen seven players hit the portal, and none stung more than the loss of edge rusher AJ Green. Green was a difference-maker on the defensive front, and his departure raised eyebrows across the fanbase. It also turned up the pressure on Brohm and his staff to not only bring in talent, but to hold on to the key pieces already in the building.
With the portal window about to open, Louisville has some critical retention decisions to make. One name that absolutely has to be at the top of that list: Antonio Watts.
5. Antonio Watts - Linebacker
If there's been a heartbeat to this Cardinals defense the past couple of years, it's been the linebacker room. That group has consistently led the team in tackles, and with TJ Quinn moving on due to eligibility, the spotlight now turns to Watts - a breakout performer who’s quickly becoming a cornerstone.
Watts put together a quietly impactful season in 2025, finishing sixth on the team with 42 total tackles. But it’s the versatility in his stat line that really stands out: three interceptions, three pass deflections, two sacks, and two forced fumbles. That’s the kind of production that doesn’t just show up on tape - it changes games.
With AJ Green already out the door, the last thing this defense can afford is to lose another playmaker. Watts brings a blend of athleticism, instincts, and leadership that’s hard to replace. He and TJ Capers give Louisville a solid foundation at linebacker, but take one of them away, and the depth chart starts to look a lot thinner - especially for a program that wants to be in the College Football Playoff conversation.
Brohm has done a solid job building up this roster, but retaining Watts is about more than just continuity. It’s about keeping the identity of the defense intact.
Louisville doesn’t just need bodies - they need tone-setters. And Watts has proven he can be exactly that.
As the portal carousel starts spinning, keeping Antonio Watts in a Cardinals jersey should be one of the top priorities. Because if Louisville wants to take the next step in 2026, it starts by making sure their most reliable pieces don’t walk out the door.