Report: Louisville LB Antonio Watts to Enter Transfer Portal

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The Louisville football program has just suffered another massive portal defection.

Linebacker/safety Antonio Watts, a multi-year starter for the Cardinals, plans to enter his name into the transfer portal, according to On3's Hayes Fawcett.

Watts is the 21st scholarship player for Louisville to announce his intentions to enter the portal in this cycle, joining players like running back Isaac Brown and defensive end A.J. Green. The 14-day window officially opened on Friday, and under recently-adopted NCAA guidelines, this will be the only opportunity for players to enter following the removal of the spring window.

Since setting foot on campus, the 6-foot-2, 225-pound Watts has been a crucial component of Louisville's defense at the STAR position. He's been a starter for the past two seasons, while getting regular playing time for the last three.

This past season was cut short for Watts due to a knee injury suffered on Nov. 14 vs. Clemson, but he still wound up having a career year. In 10 starts, he logged 41 tackles (21 solo), 6.5 for loss, 2.0 sacks, a team-best three interceptions, three pass breakups and two forced fumbles. He took home an All-ACC honorable mention for his efforts.

The Columbus, Ga. native redshirted the 2022 season, was a go-to reserve in 2023 when head coach Jeff Brohm took over, then jumped incumbent Benjamin Perry as the starting STAR in 2024. In 38 total games played for Louisville, including 23 states, Watts has collected 123 tackles, 19.0 for loss, 3.0 sacks, three interceptions, seven pass breakups and four forced fumbles.

In their third season under head coach Jeff Brohm, Louisville went 9-4 overall, including a 4-4 mark in ACC play and a 27-22 win over Toledo in the Boca Raton Bowl. The Cardinals have won at least nine games in all three seasons under Brohm, doing so for the first time since 2012-14.

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