On a huge day when Louisville football learned it would earn two commitments through the Transfer Portal, the Cardinals also learned they would keep a star defensive player. The portal opened on Jan. 2 at midnight, and late that day, Cards fans were gut-punched when key linebacker Antonio Watts announced he would enter the portal.
However, Louisville fans got massive news Saturday evening when they learned the Cardinals had agreed to a deal, averting the loss of their star linebacker, who will no longer enter the transfer portal.
NEWS: Louisville LB Antonio Watts will no longer transfer and will return in 2026, his agent @david_benzaken tells @On3sports
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) January 3, 2026
Huge news for the Cardinals https://t.co/RlUbB6Fk7q https://t.co/crVWSGnf7h
Louisville football gets massive update on starting LB Antonio Watts
Louisville avoided a disastrous situation of losing Watts to the portal, as the linebacker continues to improve every season and took a massive leap this last season. Watts' leaving for the portal would have been heartbreaking as the Cards fans circled him as someone they can’t afford to lose, and now, after returning, this fanbase is excited to see him pair up with TJ Capers and Stanquan Clark.
Louisville will lose its star linebacker, TJ Quinn, but will turn to Capers to step up and start next to Watts and Clark next season. While the Cardinals lost a valuable piece in AJ Green, this team is suddenly beginning to form. Brohm got his quarterback last night in Kienholz, and on defense, they now have cornerstone pieces returning in Lubin, Watts, and, hopefully, Clark and Capers.
A lot still has to happen this offseason, but the fans are buying into Brohm’s masterclass right now. Watts is coming off what would have been his best season with Louisville, as he earned his highest PFF grade of 80.7 after securing 42 tackles, three pass breakups, three sacks, three interceptions, two forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery in the 2025 season.
The 6-foot-2, 225-pound LB has started for Louisville the past two seasons and has earned a combined 123 tackles, 19.0 tackles for a loss, 3.0 sacks, three interceptions, seven pass breakups, and four forced fumbles in his three years.
The Cardinals' defense gets a huge break by keeping Watts and will now look to add some key pieces on the defensive line and in the secondary. This is the only Transfer Portal window this offseason and it will remain open until January 2.
Related: Who's coming and who's going: Louisville football 2026 Transfer Portal tracker
For all the latest recruiting news and updates for Louisville football, stay tuned.