Louisville football fans just learned redshirt sophomore Kris Hughes will enter the Transfer Portal. The Cardinals' wide receiver was a redshirt sophomore after he committed to the Cards in 2023 from Morganfield, KY. Hughes spent his first three seasons with Jeff Brohm and Louisville, but after seeing limited action, he entered the Transfer Portal.
Hughes was an unranked commit out of Union County High School, but he was an in-state star. In his junior season, he earned 49 catches for 910 yards and 12 touchdowns, while also earning 40 carries for 220 yards and three touchdowns. He also played some defense, earning 38 tackles, nine interceptions, a forced fumble, three fumble recoveries, including one returned for a score, and three punt returns for a touchdown.
As with Louisville, he earned a total of 15 catches, 163 yards, and one receiving touchdown in his three seasons. His best year came in 2025, when he earned eight catches for 109 yards and his lone touchdown against Eastern Kentucky. His receiving yards ranked No. 9 on the team, and his receptions ranked No. 10.
Louisville WR Kris Hughes plans to enter the portal, his rep @IanJohnsonAce tells @247Sports.
— Chris Hummer (@chris_hummer) December 29, 2025
He caught 8 passes for 109 yards and a TD this season. https://t.co/pgkkOI3435 pic.twitter.com/pqccxeEoWS
Related: 10 Louisville football players who definitely will not be back next season
Louisville football loses another player to the portal
Cardinals fans officially learned that star wide receiver Chris Bell will enter the 2026 NFL Draft, and now they learn another wide receiver will leave this thin room. The Cards, as of now, know Bell, Caullin, Lacy, Dacari Collins, Antonio Meeks, tight end, Nate Kurisky, and now Hughes won't be back next year. Louisville will lose six of its top nine receivers from 2025, making it clear they will need to add targets in the portal.
The Cardinals are in conversation with elite quarterbacks like DJ Lagway and Dylan Raiola, but it is clear that Jeff Brohm and this staff have to go get some talent on the outside. Louisville will have Jaleel Skinner starting at tight end, and TreyShun Hurry is the top receiver as of now. The Cards need to pursue some receivers, as they did a year ago through the portal, because the position group is becoming a growing area of concern.
Hughes is the ninth scholarship Cardinal to enter the portal. The Transfer Portal will be open for two weeks this year, from January 2 through January 14.
For all the latest recruiting news and updates for Louisville football, stay tuned.