‘The Cardinal Countdown: 5 Days Until Kickoff’

Summary: There are a few guys on this countdown each year that are likely "deserving" of a few paragraphs' worth of info or accolades because of their level of play and overall contributions to the teams. Then there are guys who are worthy of it…but it's not even necessary. If you are a casual or a diehard, you know the name Keyjuan Brown at this point, and while he may not be RB1 with a bullet, he's deserving of RB1 praise and recognition for the way he has played the last couple of years. Keyjuan sat behind Jaws and Guerendo in 2023 as a freshman, and then watched the emergence of Isaac and Duke in 2024, taking on that backup role during the season. In both instances Keyjuan didn't pout, he put in work, and in 2024 he was still went for over two hundred yards and three touchdowns on just 47 carries. Then in 2025 it was supposed to be Isaac and Duke again, but Watson never could quite find his mojo and Isaac couldn't get healthy….enter Keyjuan.

Keyjuan played in ten games last year, the most of any running back in the room, and in those ten games went for over 700 yards on the ground, six touchdowns, and another 118 yards receiving. Keyjuan got to show just how good he was in the primary role, and teams across the country took notice, so much so he was basically out the door with a bag packed for Boise in December when the coaches (and maybe a few extra bills) convinced him to stay here, and be RB1A with his common namesake in 2026. If Keyjuan needs evidence that Brohm and Barclay can have success with split load management at running back, look no further than 2025, or 2024, or 2023, or even 2022 at Purdue with a couple guys getting close to 100 carries a piece. This can work, and has worked, and while Isaac is a great running back, having Keyjuan as his partner will benefit them both.

Summary: With less than a week until the season starts, there are still people walking around without the realization that the Cards went and snagged a 13 game starter from an Iowa defense that finished Top 4 in the Big Ten in Passing Defense, Scoring Defense, and Total Defense in 2025. The strong safety from Ypsilanti, MI is going to spend his final season in college away from Iowa, and hopefully helping Louisville bring home some hardware. "Is this heaven" said Koen. To which Brohm replied, "no…it's Cardinal Stadium".

A lesser man may seek an apology from Koen for forcing yours truly to watch multiple Iowa football games, but I actually loved checking out how their defense works, and how they used Koen in various formations. I was surprised to see him down in the box so much last year, but he had the quickness to play in the middle, outside coverage when needed, and to drop him back in "centerfield" to scope the offensive adjustments. If I'm being honest, I don't think Entringer (ENT-Ringer) is a top safety nationally, nor do I peg him as a top athlete on the defensive side of the ball, but after watching the tape its tough to argue that he just makes plays. While some of that is scouting and skill, and some of it is athleticism, I just kept picking up hints of "grit" and "determination" each time I saw him getting involved. From jumping over guys to make a tackle, to reading screens, to getting down in the mud on special teams, Koen is a do it all guy that will likely be the Cards starter at Safety this year. If I had to sum it all up, it's this play from the Big Ten Championship a couple years back where he missed a tackle, and then never quite on the play, saving a touchdown. That's the heart of guy who will do whatever it takes to help his team, and I'm glad to have him.