Elite FCS transfer emerges as perfect game-changing QB target for Louisville football

Louisville football is taking on the Kentucky Wildcats this weekend in the Governor's Cup as part of Rivalry Week. Louisville is on a three-game losing streak and went from being ranked No. 15 in the College Football Playoffs to finishing 4-3 in the ACC. The Cards' season has been a collapse, prompting fans to look ahead to 2026. Looking ahead, Louisville has a lot of change coming its way.

The top priority this offseason is to try to keep one of their star running backs, but after that, it will be to find their next quarterback. Miller Moss will play his final game this season, and the fans are excited to see who is next. Cardinals fans have made it crystal clear they were pretty unhappy with Moss and his performance this season, so, looking ahead, they are already trying to find out who the next QB could be.

Recently, an under-the-radar quarterback from the Southern Conference entered the Transfer Portal, and he is a player the Cardinals should 100 percent try to target.

Related: Louisville football: The Cardinals’ biggest transfer portal needs

Louisville should go target elite FCS QB after entering Transfer Portal

Taron Dickens is the star quarterback from Western Carolina, and while many Cardinals fans might not know his name, when they look at his stats and film, they will quickly become fans. He was recently named one of 30 finalists for the 2025 Walter Payton Award, which is regarded as the FCS Heisman Trophy.

Dickens has had one of the best seasons across all college levels, throwing for 3,508 yards, 38 touchdowns, and two interceptions. His 3,508 passing yards, 38 passing touchdowns, and 425.4 passing yards per game are not only leading the FCS but also all college levels, including FBS.

A big thing for Louisville fans is getting someone who would be here for a couple of years, and with Dickens being a redshirt sophomore, he would meet their needs and have two years of eligibility left. The 5-foot-11, 180-pound quarterback is an elite playmaker who has dominated the field, posting a 74% completion percentage over his last two years with WCU.

He also has the ability to scramble and use his legs, as he rushed 97 times for 321 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown. His 39 total touchdowns are the most in the NCAA, and his 38 passing touchdowns are the most in Southern Conference and WCU history.

Yes, going from the Southern Conference to the ACC would be a big jump, but Dickens is an elite quarterback who has only dominated in the FCS. He can spin the ball at a high rate while being smart and limiting his interceptions. It will be interesting to see who recruits him, but after having one of the best seasons across all college levels, he is a player Louisville should try to target.