Louisville football: Breaking down the 2023 transfer portal defensive players

Keith Brown – Linebacker – University of Oregon- 3-Star Transfer

Strangely enough, this won’t be the first Keith Brown that Louisville has seen play linebacker for them over the past decade, but this Keith Brown comes to Louisville from Eugene, Oregon, and looks ready for a breakout season in the ‘Ville.

Brown was ranked as high as the 89th best player in the class of 2021, according to Rivals, and the Oregon native made a solid impact in his first two seasons as a Duck. Brown racked up more than 200 snaps at linebacker and tallied 36 tackles and 1 sack.

His best game came in his final opportunity, with the Ducks facing off against North Carolina in the 2022 Holiday Bowl. Brown started at inside linebacker and racked up a career-high seven tackles against the Tar Heels. As Duck fans looked forward to the 2023 season, they saw their highly touted, homegrown linebacker on the precipice of a breakout junior season.

(R.I.P. to Drake Maye’s rib cage. I’m sure he’s happy to avoid Brown this season.)

But in a surprising decision, Brown announced his intention to transfer to Louisville in April, and thank goodness for that choice. Following the 2022 season, Louisville lost inside linebackers Momo Sanogo, Monty Montgomery, and Dorian Jones, so Brown’s addition was much needed.

Brown committed shortly after Louisville’s spring game, so we’ve yet to see him in action, but I imagine we’ll see the junior starting at inside linebacker this year and the next. This addition is one of Brohm’s best. He filled a position of need with a ridiculously talented player that looks to be ready for something special in 2023.