Louisville Season Preview | Jeff Brohm reloads again. Can the Cards reach new heights? | Sports

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Jeff Brohm's return to Louisville has already delivered an ACC Championship Game appearance, a Sun Bowl win and 19 victories in two seasons. It's also brought annual roster turnover, new quarterbacks every fall and enough one-score finishes to keep a cardiologist on retainer.

Now comes year No. 3. The expectations are high again. The continuity? About what you'd expect.

This team isn't ranked. But it's receiving votes and is potentially dangerous. And it might be deeper, more balanced, and better suited to survive what comes in November.

"We're not scared to have a new roster every year," Brohm told the ACC Network last month. "That's kind of what this game has gone to."

Louisville | Kentucky | Indiana | Eric Crawford

Louisville enters the season riding a three-game winning streak and chasing its 15th consecutive home-opening victory.

Louisville returns just five offensive starters: running back Isaac Brown, wideouts Chris Bell and Caullin Lacy (started two games before redshirting), center Pete Nygra and tackle Trevonte Sylvester. Defensively, six starters are back: linebackers Stanquan Clark and TJ Quinn, nose tackle Jordan Guerad and tackle Rene Konga, cornerback Tayon Holloway (started three games midseason) and star linebacker Antonio Watts.

In all, 42 new scholarship players joined the program this offseason, including 28 transfers.

The program doesn't publish a game week depth chart, so the following position sketches come from projections, coaches' comments and early preseason practices. But there will, no doubt, be some surprises.

Quarterback: New again but not new to this

For the fourth year in a row, Louisville opens the season with a new starting quarterback. This time, it's Miller Moss, the USC transfer — and he's no mystery.

Moss lit up Louisville for six touchdowns in the 2023 Holiday Bowl. Now, he steps into Brohm's system, fresh off a 2,555-yard, 18-TD season with the Trojans. His decision-making drew some scrutiny late last year but, in fall camp, he's looked composed, accurate and in command.

Miller Moss, Isaac Brown and Duke Watson — Quarterback Miller Moss and running backs Isaac Brown and Duke Watson are expected to be major weapons for the Louisville football team in 2025.
ERIC CRAWFORD

Brohm said Moss has "done everything I've wanted him to" — from command of the huddle to poise under pressure.

On Monday of this week, an off day for players, Moss was in the football complex watching video.

"He's going to do everything he can to perform well," Brohm said.

He enters on the Maxwell and Davey O'Brien Award watch lists, having thrown multiple touchdowns in six of his nine starts last season.

This offense has made it work with one-year starters before. Moss has the tools — and the track record — to do it again.

Behind him, Brady Allen is well-versed in Brohm's scheme and is ready to step in if needed. Redshirt freshman Deuce Adams also is progressing.

Running Back: A loaded deck

Louisville has one of its most talented running back collections ever.

Isaac Brown, the ACC Rookie of the Year, rushed for 1,173 yards and 11 TDs last season, a school record for a true freshman, breaking Lamar Jackson's mark.

Duke Watson, with limited touches, added 597 yards and 7 scores — and led the nation in yards per carry at 8.91.

Together, they averaged 7.6 yards per rush and combined for seven 100-yard games. Both are back. So is Keyjuan Brown (5.2 yards per carry and three TDs last season), as are redshirt freshman Shaun Boykins Jr., and true freshman Jamarice Wilder.

Brohm made it clear this week: Brown is going to get his touches. "He is dynamic with the ball in his hands," Brohm said. "We'd be foolish not to make sure he gets enough touches no matter who we play."

Brown enters 2025 on the Maxwell, Doak Walker, Walter Camp, and Paul Hornung Award watch lists, and was named a Second-Team All-American by Phil Steele.

This might be the most complete room on the team — and the most consistent weapon early.

Receivers and Tight Ends: Bell rings loudest

Chris Bell is the go-to target. A preseason All-ACC pick, he had 737 yards and four touchdowns last season, including back-to-back 100-yard games. He's physical, polished, and ready for more.

Bell enters 2025 on the Biletnikoff Award watch list, and led the team last season with seven catches of 30+ yards and five of 40+.

Caullin Lacy, a former 1,000-yard man at South Alabama, returns in the slot after redshirting in 2024 – though he started a pair of games before sitting out to recover from a broken collarbone, and returned for Louisville's Sun Bowl win. He earned First-Team All-ACC honors from both Phil Steele and Athlon for his return and receiving potential.

Brohm praised the group's depth and potential. "We'll rotate multiple guys," he said, singling out San Jose State transfer TreyShun Hurry and Antonio Meeks as top candidates at the third receiver spot and highlighting Dacari Collins' size as a unique asset. He started 12 games at N.C. State last season.

"That room will get plenty of action," Brohm added. "The newcomers have to get on the field and produce."

At tight end, Nate Kurisky is the experienced hand, with three of his 12 catches last year going for touchdowns, including one in the Sun Bowl.

"Nate is solid," tight ends coach Ryan Wallace said. "… He's a really versatile guy, good leader in the room and a good leader on our football teams. He's as solid as they get."

But Jaleel Skinner, who started turning heads in the spring, has continued to emerge in preseason camp. Wallace praised his work in the weight room and in perfecting his role.

"He's become a more consistent player," Wallace said. "We're excited to see where he goes in the fall. He's a heck of an athlete."

Offensive Line: 'Working on the mix'

The anchor is Pete Nygra, an All-ACC center and Rimington Trophy candidate. "He's a fantastic player, makes all our calls — he's smart," Brohm said.

Nygra started all 13 games last season and played 848 snaps. Trevonte Sylvester and Rasheed Miller both started in spots last season and return.

With transfers, there have been some moving parts on the line in the preseason.

"We have been working on the mix," Brohm said.

Lance Robinson returns after missing all last season with an injury. Before that, he started 11 games at Houston in 2022. Brohm has bolstered the corps with transfers — Mak Pounders (Mississippi State), Mahamane Moussa (Purdue), Naeer Jackson (FIU), and Jordan Church (FAU) — all of whom saw first-team reps during camp.

Brohm said the staff has identified 7–9 players ready to contribute in games, with younger talent close behind. "We've got to keep certain guys healthy, without question," he said.

Finding the right rotation, and developing depth, are always concerns.

Defensive Line: More pieces, less star power

Gone are Ashton Gillotte and Ramon Puryear. But the cupboard isn't bare.

Clev Lubin arrives from Coastal Carolina with 9.5 sacks and some All-ACC preseason mention. Wesley Bailey (Rutgers) and A.J. Adonijah bring length and pressure off the edge.

Inside, Rene Konga, Jordan Guerad, and transfers Jerry Lawson (Abilene Christian) and Denzel Lowry (Old Dominion) form the rotation.

Expect more bodies, more movement, and less reliance on any one star.

But of all the groups, Brohm seemed higher on his defensive front after the team's first scrimmage of the preseason.

"I like our defensive line, and I think we have some depth there," Brohm said. "I don't want to get ahead of myself, but I've seen really good things at times."

Linebackers: Louisville's defensive backbone

This group is the strength of the defense.

Stanquan Clark is an NFL-caliber athlete who made 76 tackles last year and led the upset win at Clemson with 13 stops — a career high.

Stanquan Clark and T.J. Quinn — Stanquan Clark celebrates his second interception of the game with fellow linebacker T.J. Quinn during Louisville's win over Pittsburgh. Quinn and Clark were the Cardinals' two leading tacklers in the game.
ERIC CRAWFORD

He enters the season on the Butkus Award watch list, and is a Second-Team All-ACC pick by both Phil Steele and Athlon.

T.J. Quinn led the team with 82 tackles and is trying to become just the third player in school history to lead Louisville in tackles three straight seasons.

T.J. Capers is a breakout candidate after some injuries have slowed him at times the past two seasons. Kalib Perry, who played in 12 games at Tennessee last season, adds size and athleticism. And Antonio Watts at the STAR spot (a hybrid, rover-type position) is the X-factor, a ball-hawking defender who just makes plays.

Secondary: Looking for redemption

Louisville finished 100th nationally in pass defense in 2024. Then lost most of its starters.

So yes, it's a rebuild. But not one without promise.

Rodney Johnson Jr. (Southern) and Jabari Mack (Jacksonville State) are the expected starters, and both are experienced and physical.

At safety, JoJo Evans (FIU), D'Angelo Hutchinson, and Corey Gordon (Baylor) form a promising group. Antonio Harris, a true freshman from Louisville Male, could see early snaps, and Black Ruffin, a Trinity product who transferred from Eastern Illinois, is also in the mix.

Brohm said the defense has spent the offseason focused on fixing its biggest issue: giving up explosive pass plays. "We've made progress," he said. "But we can't have a couple of costly miscues that end up hurting us. We've got to just prove it on the field."

Special Teams: New legs, familiar emphasis

Louisville will start fresh at both kicker and punter.

Cooper Ranvier and Nick Keller have at placekicker, with Ranvier looking stronger in camp.

Carter Schwartz, who got late-season reps in 2024, steps in as punter.

Lacy and Watson are return options – but many others could rotate in.

Brohm emphasized the need for Week 1 composure across all units. "The first week sometimes has a lot of turnovers, a lot of fumbles, a lot of miscues," he said. "We have to try and be as clean as we possibly can be."

Schedule: Built to build, with big tests late

Louisville opens with three straight home games — Eastern Kentucky, James Madison, and Bowling Green — and doesn't leave the state until Week 5. It's a manageable start for a team breaking in a new quarterback and reloading across the depth chart.

But the back half turns brutal: road games at Virginia Tech, Miami, and SMU, plus home games against Clemson and Kentucky.

Eight home games (tying a school record) offer opportunity. But if Louisville wants to return to Charlotte, it'll have to earn it in November. And, yes, win some more close ones.

Bottom Line: Brohm's blueprint hasn't changed

Louisville has a quarterback with poise, two game-breaking backs, and a veteran coach who knows how to win in the margins.

The floor feels like 8-4. The ceiling? That depends on how quickly the secondary jells and whether Moss becomes more than just a steady hand.

Two things are certain: The Cardinals are going to score. They'll be in close games late.

They've already played 13 one-score games under Brohm — winning eight.

"It's time to take the test," Brohm said. "You've got to show up and ace the test."

That's Brohm football. Around the ACC, expectations aren't that high. The Cards were picked to finish fifth in preseason voting. But in Year No. 3, Louisville fans' faith in Brohm and his ability to exceed those expectations remains quite high.

It's a new-look team again. But the expectation is that Louisville will be in the thick of the ACC race, with some big chances to score something more in the end.