WKU QB Austin Reed turns down Louisville, returns to Bowling Green

Western Kentucky star quarterback Austin Reed will not be Jeff Brohm’s first prized transfer commitment at Louisville.

Despite strong rumblings of a potential pairing up I-65 with the Cardinals, On3’s Matt Zenitz is reporting that Reed has informed the Hilltoppers staff he will be staying at WKU rather than transferring.

The standout quarterback hit the transfer portal back on December 5.

Reed finished the regular season ranked second nationally with 4,247 passing yards and tied for fourth with 36 passing touchdowns for the Hilltoppers, now 8-5 going into the team’s matchup vs. South Alabama in the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl. He has thrown for at least 320 yards in eight of WKU’s last 11 games while also adding eight rushing touchdowns, as well.

Coming from West Florida, where he led his team to a Division II national championship in 2019, Reed earned the starting job in Bowling Green over former West Virginia quarterback Jarret Dodge.

As for Louisville, who saw Reed as a potential starting option at quarterback next season, the search continues for a replacement following Malik Cunningham‘s decision to declare for the 2023 NFL Draft. Fans and media members felt the WKU star was a near-lock, especially after Purdue chose to hire Illinois defensive coordinator Ryan Walters to replace Brohm in West Lafayette rather than WKU head coach Tyson Helton, who was also considered for the position.

Instead, Reed is returning to Bowling Green to play for Helton while Brohm is forced to look elsewhere.