Watch: Brandon Sharp, Louisville Safeties Discuss Spring Practice

The safety position for the Cardinals has a solid mix of production and potential.

Oct 17, 2025; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Louisville Cardinals safety Blake Ruffin (29) celebrates after winning the game against the Miami Hurricanes at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images | Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Spring practice for the Louisville football program has been operating at a fervent pace. As quickly as it started, we're already in the second half of spring ball, and there's just two more weeks until the annual spring game at L&N Stadium.

Like every other position group on the roster, there's been a handful of new faces at the safety position. While Brandon Sharp isn't new per se, he's taking on a new role for the 2026 season, getting promoted to safeties coach after being a quality control coach for the first three years under head coach Jeff Brohm.

"I don't feel like it's any different," Sharp said. "I love being out there on the field coaching guys, and coach Brohm gave me the freedom to be out there and get those guys all the knowledge that I have, and coach them hard. It's really been a blessing to step up in this role, and have this opportunity to coach guys how I want to coach them, and develop those guys, and make sure they have the success on the field."

Sharp takes over a room that is full of both production an potential. As far as returners go, Antonio Watts is back for his final season in college after briefly considering transferring, and Blake Ruffin - now at the STAR position - is back for his senior year as well.

Louisville also used the portal to their advantage at safety. They plucked All-Big Ten perfomer Koen Entringer from Iowa, while Kaleb Beasley and T.J. Banks come to UofL by way of Tennessee and Ole Miss, respectively. When put all together, the back end of the Cards' secondary has performed very well so far this spring.

"It's been an awesome group to coach," Sharp said. "Koen stepped up immediately in a leadership role. He's doing a great job with the guys as far as approaching the game like a pro. That's what he is. He's definitely influenced guys to come in and do more, and watch more film and things like that.

"Antonio Watts, although he's hurt, he's still being a vocal guy in the meeting rooms and things like that. Just trying to encourage guys in the meeting room as well. T.J. Banks, Kaleb Beasley, they're new guys and new faces, they've been doing awesome job as well. Blake Ruffin hasn't had as many opportunities to play and touch the field, but he has had a great and awesome spring so far."

On Friday, Sharp, Ruffin and Entringer took time to meet with the media. They discussed the first half of spring practice, Sharp's adjustment to being the new position assistant, and more.

Below are the videos from their press conferences:

Safeties Coach Brandon Sharp

Safety Blake Ruffin

Safety Koen Entringer

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(Photo of Blake Ruffin: Sam Navarro - Imagn Images)