Jeff Brohm and Louisville football strike again as the Cardinals just earned their fourth commitment of the 2026 Transfer Portal. Louisville has been recruiting from within early, as the Cards were able to keep star players Isaac Brown and Clev Lubin, but also landed its QB1 in Lincoln Kienholz.
Louisville landed its second commitment just today as it landed Miami transfer Daylen Russell. Earlier this Monday, the Cards added former 4-star running back and Missouri transfer Marquise Davis. With Russell's commitment, he is not only the second commitment of the day, but he is the second defensive commitment of the offseason. Louisville’s other defensive commitment was its first offseason addition, Kentucky transfer DJ Waller.
BREAKING: Miami transfer DL Daylen Russell has committed to Louisville🔴⚪️https://t.co/zhFUeIAP7c pic.twitter.com/kkGg9270Or
— Transfer Portal (@TransferPortal) January 5, 2026
Related: Who's coming and who's going: Louisville football 2026 Transfer Portal tracker
Jeff Brohm and Louisville football adds Miami transfer and former 3-star DL
Entering the offseason, the defensive line is one of Louisville’s biggest areas of need. The Cardinals lost multiple key players from last year, like Rene Konga and A.J. Green, so they are expected to attack the portal heavily at this position.
Louisville has prioritized the trenches early, earning visits from many offensive and defensive linemen, but Russell is the first to commit. The Miami transfer was a former Louisville target out of high school, as the Cards extended an offer to the 2023 recruit after he was ranked as high as No. 1291 nationally and the No. 133 defensive lineman in the recruiting class.
The 3-star linemen went on to commit to Miami over programs like Florida State, Nebraska, and West Virginia. Now, he will come to Louisville after two seasons with Miami and will provide much-needed depth for the Cardinals' defensive front line.
The 6-foot-3, 298-pound defensive lineman is coming off his redshirt freshman season and will have three years of eligibility remaining. In 2025, he saw action in five games, recording six tackles, including one for a loss.
Related: 3 areas Louisville football must target in portal after landing Lincoln Kienholz
For all the latest recruiting news and updates for Louisville football, stay tuned.