Louisville football is expected to pursue some of the top wide receivers in the transfer portal as the Cardinals must address their glaring need for a WR3. Louisville has two elite playmakers in Caullin Lacy and Chris Bell, but after those two stars, the Cardinals don't have much depth.
Antonio Meeks stepped up in the Spring Game last Friday and demonstrated that he can be Miller Moss's third receiver. Still, Brohm must target some receivers in the portal and try to bring some playmakers to elevate this offense.
Allen Trieu of 247Sports reported that Louisville football reached out to an elite receiver in the portal and wasted no time trying to find that perfect fit next to Lacy and Bell.
Louisville football in contact with elite WR in transfer portal
Trieu reported Wednesday afternoon that the Cardinals reached out and are in contact with the elite receiver Xavier Loyd out of Illinois State. Loyd spent three seasons with Kansas State but earned time in just 10 games, so he hit the portal and would wind up having a massive year in his lone year with the Redbirds before hitting the portal again.
Since entering the portal, Illinois State WR Xavier Loyd has heard from Missouri, Oklahoma, Wisconsin, Louisville and others.
— Allen Trieu (@AllenTrieu) April 16, 2025
66 receptions for 912 yards and six touchdowns in the fall.https://t.co/R60q2cFp4Q pic.twitter.com/RhIPiNtSZ2
Related: 2025 Spring Transfer Portal Tracker for the Louisville Football Program
Last year, Loyd secured 66 catches for 912 yards and six touchdowns, earning him a spot on the MVFC All-Newcomer Team and earning All-MVFC honorable mention honors. The 6-foot-2, 195-pound receiver is an excellent option at receiver for Brohm, as he might have struggled with Kansas State early in his career, but he proved last season he has the skills to be elite; now he has to transition that from FCS to FBS.
Loyd has been contacted by some SEC schools, such as Missouri and Oklahoma, and a Big 10 school in Wisconsin. The Cardinals were the only other team listed, and then Trieu reported "and others."
The Cardinals are targeting a perfect option for their wide receiver needs and should be one of Loyd's top targets from the list, Trieu reported. The 3-star transfer should be an under-the-radar target that the Cardinals should keep pursuing, as many elite programs will all go after big names like Micah Hudson.
Brohm and his Cardinals want to address the wide receiver room, and fans are pleased that the Cardinals are going after this elite wide receiver from Illinois State.
For all the latest on Louisville football's offseason, stay tuned.