LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Adonijah “A.J.” Green, the standout edge rusher for the Louisville football program, has decided to stay with the team for the 2026 season, withdrawing his name from the transfer portal. This decision follows a series of similar announcements from key players like Isaac Brown and Antonio Watts, who also chose to remain at Louisville.
Green initially expressed his intention to enter the transfer portal on Christmas Eve, but as of the recent transfer window that opened this past Friday, he became the fourth major retention for Louisville. On the opening day, fellow edge rusher Clev Lubin made headlines by announcing his return, while Brown and Watts later reconsidered their choices to transfer.
With Green’s commitment to staying, Louisville has recorded 23 players entering the transfer portal this cycle. However, the Cardinals have been actively working to regain talent, securing five commitments from players transferring in.
Standing at 6-foot-6 and weighing 250 pounds, Green has been an essential part of Louisville’s defensive line. His performance during the last season was particularly impressive; he played in all 13 games, started in the Boca Raton Bowl, and accumulated 31 tackles, with 11 being solo. Green notably recorded 6.0 tackles for loss, four sacks, a forced fumble, and even recovered a fumble for a touchdown. His contributions place him among the top performers on the team, evidenced by his third-place ranking in sacks and an 80.5 defensive grade on Pro Football Focus.
Originally from Atlanta, Green was a highly regarded recruit, marking his significance in the Class of 2023 as the No. 159 prospect according to the 247Sports Composite rankings. After a redshirt year, he made a notable impact in the 2024 season, finishing with 12 tackles, including three for loss, and one sack.
Under head coach Jeff Brohm, Louisville achieved a commendable 9-4 overall record, including a 4-4 standing in ACC play, while clinching victory in the Boca Raton Bowl with a 27-22 score against Toledo. This marks a successful era for the Cardinals, with three consecutive nine-win seasons, a feat they haven’t accomplished since 2012-2014.
As Louisville fans look forward to the upcoming season, retaining players like Green showcases the program’s commitment to building a competitive team.