Veteran college football analyst Phil Steele has once again released his annual College Football Preview magazine, this time projecting the 2026 season’s depth charts for every FBS program.
The latest edition, compiled from one‑on‑one conversations with head coaches across the nation, offers a snapshot of how teams envision their lineups heading into the upcoming campaign.
For the Louisville Cardinals, the projection comes at a pivotal moment, as head coach Jeff Brohm enters his fourth year at the helm and prepares his squad for a marquee test against Ole Miss.
The matchup, scheduled at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee, is expected to feature two ranked opponents, raising the stakes for both programs.
Projected Starting Lineup for Louisville
At quarterback, the chart names Lincoln Kienholz as the top option, with Davin Wydner and Briggs Cherry slated as backups, reflecting a competitive battle under center.
Running back depth includes Isaac Brown, Keyjuan Brown and Marquise Davis, while the receiving corps features Tre Richardson, Jackson Voth and Marlon Harbin.
The offensive line is anchored by Anwar O’Neal, Cameron Gorin and Charlie Edgeworth at left tackle, with Eryx Daugherty, Tyler Folmar and Max Merz projected as left guard.
Defensively, the Cardinals’ front seven includes A.J. Green, Jerod Smith II and Micah Carter at defensive end, while Joshua Donald, Daylen Russell and Dillon Smith are slated at nose tackle.
Linebacker corps feature Stanquan Clark, Trent Carter and Caleb Matelau at middle linebacker, complemented by T.J. Capers, Cameron White and Jacob Smith on the weakside.
Secondary players such as Tayon Holloway, Myles Norwood and Santana Wilson are listed at cornerback, with Kaleb Beasley, T.J. Banks and Kris Brunson projected at free safety.
Special teams see Garth White, Carson Hilbert and Nick Keller competing for the kicking duties, while Jacob Baker, Adam Winkenhofer and Bode Shoaps battle for punting responsibilities.
The breadth of the chart underscores the depth of preparation by both Steele and Brohm, who have leveraged direct dialogue to fine‑tune the projections.
Fans and analysts alike will watch closely as the Cardinals aim to translate these projected starters into on‑field performance, beginning with the high‑profile contest in Nashville.