1. Nick Peltekian
With Louisville losing Rowsey to the Transfer Portal, the Cardinals have another FCS target in Lehigh transfer Nick Peltekian. The former Mountain Hawk was a dominant defensive back for a couple of years and was named to the FCS Preseason All-America Third Team entering the 2025 season.
The redshirt junior put on a dominant performance in his sophomore and junior seasons, logging a career-high and team-high 91 tackles, 4.0 tackles for a loss, 5 pass breakups, 1 quarterback hurry, and 1 fumble recovery. He then earned first-team all-league honors his junior season after recording 74 tackles, 4 interceptions, 1 pass breakup, 1 forced fumble, and 1 fumble recovery.
He also earned the All-Second Team for the Patriot League as a return specialist with 21 returns for 125 yards. The year prior, he logged eight returns for 169 yards and one touchdown. Peltekian ranks as the best safety available, No. 604 overall and No. 54 among safeties.