Offseason position preview: Offensive line
Louisville dedicated a majority of the transfer portal window to rebuilding its offensive line. The Cardinals lost multiple starters, but they did well in securing replacements through the transfer portal.
Dominating the run game over the past few seasons, Louisville needed to bring in a strong offensive line for 2026. Star running backs Isaac Brown and Keyjuan Brown return after combining for 1,588 rushing yards last season. This offense will rely on the Brown tandem to fuel the Cardinals’ offense. Bringing in five transfers with starting experience on the line is exactly what this team needed to help their running game thrive.
Quarterback Lincoln Kienholz will also need protection in his first year as a starting quarterback. Keeping the inexperienced signal caller stress-free is a top priority that can shape Louisville’s season.
2025 recap
Louisville’s top five running backs last season combined for 2,136 yards on 320 carries, good for 6.7 yards per attempt. There was little drop off going down the depth chart. I. Brown, K. Brown, Braxton Jennings, Shaun Boykins, and Duke Watson managed to produce due to their offensive line generating holes.
The Cardinals averaged 163.9 rushing yards per game, good for 59th in the country. Ranked as the lowest in the Brohm era, this offensive line still helped Louisville secure a 9-4 record.
Nine times this season, a running back hit the century-yard mark in a game. Jennings was a freshman walk-on but still managed to run for 113 yards against in-state rival Kentucky. The Cardinals have an impenetrable offensive scheme stemming from offensive line coach Richard Owens.
Louisville had a down year in the pass blocking game, allowing 1.92 sacks per game, good for 80th in the country. These 25 sacks given up were a 10 increase from 2024. Serviceable but not stellar, the offensive line has work to do this offseason to protect its quarterback.
With starters Pete Nygra, Rasheed Miller, Trevonte Sylvester, and Mahamane Moussa all graduating, players will need to step up for this redefined line.
New faces
Louisville did what they do best: hit the portal strong. Coach Brohm secured multi-year starting players from all conference levels to compete for playing time.
This new group is headlined by Boston College IOL transfer Eryz Daugherty. Ranked as the 8th best player at his position, there is no doubt he will be seeing significant snaps. After not playing a lot through his first couple of seasons, Daugherty made 10 starts last year, allowing one sack. His 78.7 PFF pass blocking grade will be a breath of fresh air to this offense.
Going head-to-head on potential impact with Daugherty, South Carolina OT transfer Cason Henry is another piece to the puzzle. Injuries have hindered his career, but when he is on the field, he is a star. His 18 starts in the SEC will translate very well for the Cardinals.
Former Delaware OT Anwar O’Neal, Kentucky IOL Evan Wibberley, and Georgia Southern OT Johnnie Brown round out the new faces. Louisville brings in veteran leaders who have all started at some point in their collegiate careers. This experience brings important competition in the position room and strength to the depth chart.
Louisville also welcomes true freshman linemen Jarvis Strickland, Charlie Edgeworth, Bryten Close, Benjamin Corhei, and Max Merz. With the average height being 6 feet 5, they display good size for such a young group.
Projection
On paper, this offense has the skill position players to be elite. This will only come to fruition if the offensive line plays at a high level.
Daugherty and Henry immediately get plugged into the line without a worry. Around this duo will be a group featuring players like O’Neal, Wibberley, Brown, and returning starter Lance Robinson. With experience at guard and tackle for all of these players, coach Brohm will need to test out what lineups work best in the offseason.
One of the main concerns for Louisville was finding a center. Wibberly is a natural center who started his career at Western Kentucky, but didn’t see the field last season at Kentucky. This time away from game snaps could mean Robinson or a depth piece taking the reins at center. With a position so vital to the offense, these questions are something to note down.
Besides Wibberley, all five newcomers are over 300 pounds. Adding beef and veteran leadership is perfect for what Louisville needs to help block in the passing game. Increasing this production from last year looks to be going in the right direction, while their star running back room only needs a sliver of grass to succeed.
Depth chart projection
LT — Anwar O’Neal / Johnnie Brown
LG — Eryx Daugherty / Lance Robinson
C — Evan Wibberley / Lance Robinson
RG — Lance Robinson / Eryx Daugherty
RT — Cason Henry / Johnnie Brown
Other
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