6. Cooper Ranvier, PK
Maybe this is recency bias, but Cooper Ranvier deserves recognition. The freshman has already set the program record for most made kicks by a first-year player, and outside of the Clemson game, he has been as reliable as any kicker in the FBS. Prior to that performance, he had missed just one kick under 50 yards all season and was hitting nearly 90 percent of his field goals.
The decision to turn to long-distance specialist Nick Keller late against Clemson may have shaken Ranvier’s confidence. Louisville cannot risk that decision nudging him into the portal. Kicking stability is an overlooked luxury, and Ranvier has earned the right to remain the clear starter moving into 2026.
He gained a lot of experience from this freshman season, and having a kicker who you can trust for the next three years is incredibly rare. For a team with so many offensive questions, having a trusted kicker is something they simply cannot lose.