Stephen F Austin transfer DL Brandon Lane commits to Louisville

The Louisville Cardinals have acquired some big-time defensive talent from the NCAA transfer portal. The Cardinals recently acquired a commitment from interior defensive lineman Brandon Lane, formerly of Stephen F Austin, announced his commitment on Monday.

Lane, a redshirt sophomore, saw the field early and often for the Lumberjacks since joining the program in 2022. In his season at Stephen F Austin, he would play in seven games, recording 11 total tackles, two solo tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, and one sack. Last season, Lane was even more of a disruption along the interior of the defense line. He finished 2023 with 44 total tackles, 16 total tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, and a forced fumble in a total of 11 games.

Lane did not start his collegiate career off at Stephen F Austin. The Montana native spent 2021 with the South Dakota State Jack Rabbits. He was initially a member of the 2020 recruiting class and played his high school football at Saint Michael the Archangel Catholic High School in Lees Summit, MO. Lane chose South Dakota State, a powerhouse program in the FCS division of college football, over a handful of other FBS programs such as Bowling Green and Air Force.

Lane is joining a Cardinals team ready to compete in the ACC

At the time this story was written, Louisville has seen the most turnover using the transfer portal among ACC teams. The Cardinals have lost 34 players to the portal while simultaneously picking up 31 in return. And the majority of that movement has been in favor of Louisville.

According to On3’s 2024 College Football ACC Transfer Portal Rankings, Louisville ranks first in the conference in terms of its index score. Of the 31 incoming players for the Cardinals, six have been of the four-star variety in On3’s Transfer Portal Player Rankings while only losing two of the same caliber. In that group of six are defensive standouts Tyler Baron, former EDGE at Tennessee, and Tayon Holloway, who suited up for Louisville’s ACC rival, the North Carolina Tar Heels, last season.

Lane is joining a Louisville squad and defense looking to build off their impressive 2023 campaign. Last season, the Cardinals earned a spot in the ACC championship game, narrowly losing to an undefeated Florida State Seminole squad.