Louisville Eyes SEC Transfer Xavier Chaplin to Anchor O-Line Rebuild
Louisville football is riding high after a bowl win over Toledo in the Boca Raton Bowl, closing out the season with momentum. With head coach Jeff Brohm staying put and Michigan reportedly turning to Kyle Whittingham, the focus now shifts to the next phase of roster building: the transfer portal.
And make no mistake-Louisville has work to do.
The Cardinals have already lost key contributors to the portal, including standout edge rusher AJ Green and veteran tight end Nate Kurisky. While the portal window doesn’t officially open until January 2, the groundwork is already being laid.
Programs are identifying targets, and players are signaling their intent to move. For Louisville, the mission is clear: rebuild the trenches, especially on the offensive line.
The Offensive Line: A Priority, Not a Luxury
Louisville’s offensive line struggled throughout the 2025 season. Whether it was protecting the quarterback or opening up lanes in the run game, the unit simply didn’t hold up against top-tier competition. That’s why the emergence of Auburn transfer Xavier Chaplin in the portal couldn’t have come at a better time.
Chaplin checks every box for what Louisville needs up front. At 6-foot-7 and 350 pounds, he brings SEC size and experience to a unit that’s losing both Trevonte Sylvester and Mahamane Moussa, two redshirt seniors who played key roles at tackle. The Cardinals need a new anchor on the left side, and Chaplin instantly becomes one of the top names on their board.
A Proven Starter with Room to Grow
Chaplin started all 12 games at left tackle for Auburn this past season, logging 821 snaps-by far the most of his college career. While he did rack up 12 penalties, a career-high, his overall body of work still points to a lineman with high upside and the kind of experience Louisville desperately needs.
Before his stint at Auburn, Chaplin spent three years at Virginia Tech, where he was far more disciplined, committing just 12 penalties across three seasons. He was ranked as the No. 2 offensive tackle in last year’s On3 Transfer Portal Rankings and No. 14 overall.
That kind of pedigree doesn’t enter the portal unnoticed, and Louisville will have competition. But this is the kind of player that can transform an offense.
Why This Move Matters - Especially Now
Louisville is also in the market for a quarterback, with names like DJ Lagway and Dylan Raiola reportedly on the radar. But no matter who lines up under center, it won’t matter much if the offensive line can’t hold its ground. That’s what made 2025 so frustrating-there were flashes of potential, but the protection just wasn’t there.
Adding a player like Chaplin isn’t just about upgrading the line. It’s about unlocking the full potential of the offense.
Better protection gives the quarterback time to operate and opens up the run game-two things Louisville struggled with this past season. And with uncertainty around the running back room, particularly whether Isaac Brown or Keyjuan Brown will return, giving them a reason to stay starts with a commitment to improving the guys blocking in front of them.
A Big Target with a Bigger Opportunity
Chaplin’s arrival in the portal gives Louisville a rare opportunity to land a plug-and-play starter with SEC experience and All-ACC potential. Yes, the penalties from last season are a concern, but that’s also part of the growth curve.
He played more snaps than ever before and faced some of the best edge rushers in the country. That kind of trial by fire doesn’t just expose weaknesses-it builds toughness.
If Louisville wants to recapture the offensive firepower it had in 2023, it starts in the trenches. And Chaplin could be the cornerstone of that rebuild.
The portal officially opens in a matter of days. For Brohm and the Cardinals, the clock is ticking-but the opportunity is right there in front of them.