Louisville is expected to start a true freshman walk-on at RB against Kentucky

by: Zack Geoghegan1 hour agoZGeogheganKSR

Louisville’s running game is in rough shape right now. The Cardinals will be down all four of their scholarship running backs due to injury against Kentucky on Saturday.

But someone has to carry the rock — and that someone played his high school football in the state of Kentucky. True freshman walk-on Braxton Jennings from Ashland, KY, will fill in as Louisville’s RB1 for the regular season finale. Head coach Jeff Brohm announced the news earlier this week on his radio show. Another in-state product, former North Hardin star Shaun Boykins Jr., normally a wide receiver, is also expected to handle snaps at running back.

Jenning has appeared in three games this season for Louisville, totaling 87 rushing yards on 17 carries with one touchdown. Clocking in at 5-foot-11, 195 pounds, Jennings saw action against a couple of non-Power 4 teams to begin the season before being brought into action last weekend during the Cardinals’ 38-6 blowout loss to SMU. He’s also returned two kickoffs this year for 50 total yards.

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Aug. 30 vs. Eastern Kentucky: 6 carriers, 27 yards
Sept. 20 vs. Bowling Green: 6 carries, 43 yards, 1 TD
Nov. 22 @ SMU: 5 carries, 17 yards

With all four of Louisville’s scholarship running backs out due to injury, true freshman walk-on Braxton Jennings will get the start against Kentucky.

The Ashland, Kentucky native has rushed for 87 yards on 17 carries with one touchdown this season. pic.twitter.com/llTvqnPZwW
— Nick Coffey (@TheCardConnect) November 28, 2025

Jennings, the son of former NFL player Chris Jennings, was a multi-sport athlete at Ashland Blazer, even helping lead the Tomcats to the boys’ basketball Sweet 16 as a junior in the 2023-24 season. As a senior, he eventually put his focus on the gridiron, running for 1,1157 yards and 20 touchdowns as Ashland made it to the third round of the Class 4A 2024 UK HealthCare Sports Medicine State Football Finals. He passed over offers from the likes of Eastern Kentucky, Eastern Michigan, and Buffalo to walk on at Louisville.

And now, with just 17 college carries to his name, he’ll take the field for the Governor’s Cup as the Cardinals’ starting running back. Kickoff on Saturday is set for noon ET on the ACC Network.