Photo by: David Sutherland | Louisville Athletics
Cards Add 19 to the 2026 National Signing Day Class
December 03, 2025 | Football
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The University of Louisville football program officially added 19 student-athletes to its 2026 National Signing Day Class, head coach Jeff Brohm announced on Wednesday.
The group features a balanced blend of talent on both sides of the ball and represents seven states, highlighted by strong foundations in Florida and Kentucky. The Cardinals signed five players from Florida and four from Kentucky, while adding three each from Georgia and Ohio. Louisville also welcomed two signees from Tennessee, along with one each from Indiana and North Carolina.
The class is headlined by Jaylin Broadnax, a safety from Boca Raton and the top-rated prospect in Louisville's 2026 group. Broadnax is a consensus four-star recruit, ranked as the No. 216 player nationally by the Rivals Industry and the No. 25 defensive back in the country. Rivals.com lists him as the No. 34 player at his position and the No. 40 prospect in Florida. He is rated the No. 213 national player by 247Sports, the No. 25 defensive back, and the No. 29 player in the state. ESPN ranks him No. 251 nationally, the No. 18 cornerback, and the No. 38 prospect in Florida.
Broadnax helped lead his team to the state semifinals during a season in which they faced two Top-25 opponents. He finished his career with 116 tackles and four interceptions, including 29 tackles and two interceptions as a senior. As a junior, he recorded 39 tackles, 14 pass breakups, and one interception, allowing only nine receptions for 60 yards on 39 targets and did not surrender a touchdown.
Jordan Vann from Middletown, Ohio, was a highly recruited defensive back, who was a late flip from Michigan State,
Louisville strengthened its offensive front by adding six offensive linemen, including highly regarded Jarvis Strickland, one of the top prospects in the state of Kentucky.
Quarterback Briggs Cherry is the lone signal-caller to sign on Wednesday. The Baylor School standout qualified for the Elite 11 Finals, where he won the Accuracy Challenge and set a new event record. Cherry led Baylor to consecutive Division II Class AAA state championship games, finishing as the runner-up in 2024, and will compete for another state title on Dec. 5. He has thrown for nearly 2,800 yards and 29 touchdowns entering the championship contest.
The Cardinals added three solid wide receivers in Payton Cook from Ohio, DJ Williams from Tampa, Fla., and Gavin Waddell from Rolesville, N.C.
The group features a balanced blend of talent on both sides of the ball and represents seven states, highlighted by strong foundations in Florida and Kentucky. The Cardinals signed five players from Florida and four from Kentucky, while adding three each from Georgia and Ohio. Louisville also welcomed two signees from Tennessee, along with one each from Indiana and North Carolina.
The class is headlined by Jaylin Broadnax, a safety from Boca Raton and the top-rated prospect in Louisville's 2026 group. Broadnax is a consensus four-star recruit, ranked as the No. 216 player nationally by the Rivals Industry and the No. 25 defensive back in the country. Rivals.com lists him as the No. 34 player at his position and the No. 40 prospect in Florida. He is rated the No. 213 national player by 247Sports, the No. 25 defensive back, and the No. 29 player in the state. ESPN ranks him No. 251 nationally, the No. 18 cornerback, and the No. 38 prospect in Florida.
Broadnax helped lead his team to the state semifinals during a season in which they faced two Top-25 opponents. He finished his career with 116 tackles and four interceptions, including 29 tackles and two interceptions as a senior. As a junior, he recorded 39 tackles, 14 pass breakups, and one interception, allowing only nine receptions for 60 yards on 39 targets and did not surrender a touchdown.
Jordan Vann from Middletown, Ohio, was a highly recruited defensive back, who was a late flip from Michigan State,
Louisville strengthened its offensive front by adding six offensive linemen, including highly regarded Jarvis Strickland, one of the top prospects in the state of Kentucky.
Quarterback Briggs Cherry is the lone signal-caller to sign on Wednesday. The Baylor School standout qualified for the Elite 11 Finals, where he won the Accuracy Challenge and set a new event record. Cherry led Baylor to consecutive Division II Class AAA state championship games, finishing as the runner-up in 2024, and will compete for another state title on Dec. 5. He has thrown for nearly 2,800 yards and 29 touchdowns entering the championship contest.
The Cardinals added three solid wide receivers in Payton Cook from Ohio, DJ Williams from Tampa, Fla., and Gavin Waddell from Rolesville, N.C.
Players Mentioned
QB
/ Football
WR
/ Football
OL
/ Football
S
/ Football
WR
/ Football
WR
/ FootballFB: Highlights vs. Kentucky
Sunday, November 30
The Card Tape: Virginia Tech
Monday, November 03
FB: Highlights v. Virginia Tech
Sunday, November 02
All Tricks, No Treats #prank #football #halloween #gocards
Thursday, October 30
