The Louisville football program has done an incredible job recruiting the portal so far in this cycle, and they are on the verge of potentially landing one of the top available transfers.
Former Toledo running back Peny Boone, who was named this season's MAC Offensive Player of the Year, announced his list of top three transfer destinations on Wednesday, with the Cardinals making the cut. Arch rival Kentucky and ACC foe Florida State are also in the running.
“These are three of the nation’s top football programs with a rich history of getting guys to the next level. All three schools have a need for a game-changer in the backfield,” he told On3's Pete Nakos. “I feel like schematically I am a great fit within each respective offensive system. The coaching staffs have been nothing but supportive and professional, and I look forward to calling one of these prestigious universities home.”
As of Dec. 28, Boone is regarded as the sixth-best uncommitted player in the transfer portal and the No. 22 overall player to enter the portal in this cycle, according to On3. He's also top uncommitted running back and the second-best running back to entire the portal behind Trevor Etienne.
The 6-foot-1, 245-pound power back was one of the most productive running backs this season not only among the Group of Five, but in all of college football. Playing in all 13 of Toledo's games with 10 starts, Boone ran for 1,400 yards and 15 touchdowns on 194 carries, while also catching 15 passes for 219 yards and a touchdown. Both his rushing total and 1,619 yards from scrimmage currently rank seventh in the FBS.
The Detroit, Mich. native spent the first two years of his collegiate career at Maryland, but was never more than a rotational piece. During his time with the Terrapins, he logged 58 carries for 258 yards and two touchdowns across 14 games played. Boone then opted to transfer to Toledo ahead of the 2022 season, where he rushed for 439 yards and three touchdowns in his first year with the Rockets.
Potentially landing Boone would be a big boost to Louisville's running back room. With Jawhar Jordan heading to the NFL and Isaac Guerendo graduating, it leaves just Maurice Turner and Keyjuan Brown as the only scholarship returners. The Cardinals are also bringing in Miami transfer Donald Chaney Jr., as well as true freshmen Isaac Brown and Duke Watson.
Louisville has landed 16 players through the transfer portal so far in this cycle, while also seeing nine players depart and transfer elsewhere. They currently possess the No. 1 transfer portal class in the cycle, according to On3.
The Cardinals finished their 2023 season with an overall mark of 10-4 (7-1 in ACC) including a berth in the program's first ever ACC Championship Game, but ended year one under head coach Jeff Brohm on a three-game losing streak.
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