This week, we press on with our preview of the 2026 Louisville football season, as the secondary unit (cornerbacks and safeties) is the focus.
2025 Rewind
After finishing the 2024 season 12th in the ACC in pass defense, Louisville turned it around the following year and became the best in the ACC. The Cardinals allowed just 188.8 YPG through the air, with 14 interceptions (T-fourth in ACC), and allowed just six yards per attempt (second-best in ACC).
Louisville’s pass coverage was a huge reason for some of their biggest wins of the 2025 season, including a 24-21 upset of #2 Miami (FL) that saw the Cardinals pick off Carson Beck four times. They also had three interceptions in their 34-27 comeback win at Pittsburgh, and two second-half interceptions to seal a 41-0 shutout win over Kentucky on Senior Day.
But, two of their losses (Cal and SMU) saw those teams throw for over 300 yards against Louisville. SMU was also the only team to have a team passer rating over 140 against Louisville last year.
Linebacker Antonio Watts led the team with three interceptions, with cornerbacks Tayon Holloway and Jabari Mack having two apiece. Holloway was Louisville’s top corner, with 42 tackles, five PBUs, and two interceptions.
Read more: 2026 Louisville Football Guide: Secondary (CB / S)Notable Departures
- CB Justin Agu (transferred to Tulane)
- CB Rodney Johnson (graduated)
- CB Jabari Mack (graduated)
- CB Rae’mon Mosby (transferred to East Carolina)
- S JoJo Evans Jr. (graduated)
- S Corey Gordon (transferred to Kansas)
- S D’Angelo Hutchinson (graduated)
Also of note, co-defensive coordinator and secondary coach Ron English is taking the 2026 season off to watch his son play his senior season at Navy. Cornerbacks coach Steve Ellis does return and will step into a co-defensive coordinator role for the 2026 season, alongside defensive line coach Mark Ivey.
2026 Preview: Cornerbacks
Louisville gets a huge boost right out of the gate with Tayon Holloway returning as a starting cornerback. The senior started all 13 games last season and earned Honorable Mention All-ACC honors, logging two interceptions and five PBUs to go with 42 tackles. Holloway is a solid man corner with good size at 6’1″, giving him good opportunities to play the ball in one-on-one coverage.
Out goes Jabari Mack after one season, having two interceptions and 34 tackles last year. In comes Kentucky transfer DJ Waller, Jr., who adds more size to the position at 6’3″ and 210 lbs. He has Power Four experience at both UK and Michigan, including starting four games in 2024 for the Wildcats. Waller had injuries that kept him out of action for most of last season, but as long as he is healthy, he is a favorite to start at outside cornerback for the Cardinals.
Other than Holloway and Waller, Louisville’s secondary will see several new faces, both from the transfer portal and returning from last year’s squad. Antonio Harris could emerge as a rotational player this season; he’s a player that I’ve been high on, dating back to my position breakdown from last year. He’s another tall corner at six foot and is a second-generation Louisville player; his father, Nate Harris, played for Louisville in 2005 and 2006.
Transfers Santana Wilson (Texas) and Brycen Scott (Elon) could also compete for playing time. Wilson is a former three-star prospect and played in just one game for the Longhorns last season. Scott played as a reserve for Elon and should be in the mix for playing time on special teams. Louisville also has South Carolina transfer Myles Norwood for depth, logging 19 tackles in ten games last year for the Gamecocks.
One freshman to keep an eye on through the month of August is Jaydin Broadnax, who arrives as Louisville’s highest-rated recruit in the 2026 class (per 247Sports). Broadnax is a big corner at 6’3″ and 190 lbs., and plays with a sharp physical edge for the position. He has great instincts as a man corner and with his size, makes bump-and-run coverage difficult for opposing receivers, and has the potential to be a good run stopper at cornerback. He has great recovery in man coverage and can close on receivers quickly, able to make plays with his body and his hands. Broadnax has the potential to be an impact player in the next few seasons, and should be a high priority for Louisville to retain next season.
Projected Starters: Tayon Holloway and DJ Waller, Jr.
Key Reserves: Antonio Harris, Santana Wilson, Myles Norwood, Jaydin Broadnax, Brycen Scott
2026 Preview: Safeties
Louisville’s staff was very aggressive in the portal this offseason with finding starters at safety, with JoJo Evans, D’Angelo Hutchinson, and Corey Gordon all departing from last year. One of the most important acquisitions for the Cards in the portal is Koen Entringer, who will start at safety and could be another impact player in the Cardinals defense this season. He earned All-Big Ten Honorable Mention honors last season (73 tackles, four PBUs, 3.5 TFLs) and is a physical force at safety. Entringer was a team captain last season for the Hawkeyes, and should step in as another leader on Louisville’s defense in 2026.
Additionally, they acquired Kaleb Beasley (Tennessee) and TJ Banks (Mississippi) to keep the three-man rotation at safety that made Louisville successful last season. Both played in reserve roles last season for their respective squads, with Beasley being a four-star prospect out of high school. Beasley had 24 tackles and a PBU for the Volunteers last season, with Banks having 20 tackles and a PBU in 14 games for the Rebels.
Blake Ruffin also returns and could see more playing time this season to give Louisville a complete two-deep at both safety spots. Ruffin earned FCS All-American honors at Eastern Illinois previously, and played in all 13 games last season for the Cardinals.
Projected Starters: Koen Entringer and Kaleb Beasley
Key Reserves: TJ Banks and Blake Ruffin
