LOUISVILLE, Ky. – College football's offseason may be in full swing, but it's not really until Louisville returns to the gridiron at L&N Stadium to take on Austin Peay and begin the second year of the Jeff Brohm era. It's only a little over 100 days.
There's still a lot to unfold in summer training and fall camp, but with that said, here are three bold predictions for the Cardinals' upcoming 2024 season.
1. JaCorey Brooks and Colin Lacy will both surpass 1,000 receiving yards.
Louisville's passing attack is expected to take big strides this season, and the transfers of wide receivers Ja'Corey Brooks and Colin Lacy will be a big reason why. Brooks was limited by injuries last season at Alabama, but the former five-star prospect is one of Bryce Young's favorite targets during the 2022 season, catching 674 passes on 39 passes. He gained yards and scored a team-high eight touchdowns. Additionally, Lacy was one of the most prolific wideouts in college football last season at the University of South Alabama, catching 91 passes for 1,316 yards and seven touchdowns, ranking fifth in the FBS in receiving marks and yards marks. It took 6th place. Add in the fact that Texas Tech transfer QB Tyler Schau was great in the spring and Louisville's various transfer pickups at tight end will help take the pressure off the wide receivers, and you've got a 1,000-yard receiver. It is not unthinkable to have two people. After all, Brohm was able to accomplish it in his final year at WKU in 2016, and he came close to doing it at Purdue in 2019.
2. Louisville sports a top-10 pass defense.
There's a good chance the Cardinals will be a defense-driven team again. This is not a slight on offense, but a testament to the depth of the defense, especially in the secondary. Defensive end Ashton Gillot will be an All-American again on this team, but cornerback Quincy Riley will earn All-American honors in 2024 based on his underrated 2023 campaign and spring performance. It's not surprising though. On top of that, Louisville's three transfer corners in Corey Thornton, Ta'veon Nicholson, and Tyon Holloway have a very solid coaching staff, and Aaron Williams has a very solid coaching staff in the spring after missing all games last year. It left an impression on me. Safety is also profound. All-ACC safety Devin Neal returns, as does MJ Griffin, who was Louisville's defensive X-factor in 2022 and had to miss last season due to injury. Tennessee transfer Tamarion McDonald also had an impressive spring, as did returner D'Angelo Hutchinson. Louisville has great depth and talent in the secondary, and the defense is loaded with playmakers across the board, but it wouldn't be a shock to see a defensive back lead the offense.
3. Louisville wins its first win over Clemson.
Louisville, on the other hand, has accomplished quite a bit since joining the ACC. They produced a Heisman Trophy winner, were in the College Football Playoff mix several times, and appeared in the league title game. One thing they haven't done is beat Clemson. The Cardinals are 0-8 against the Tigers, their first record since entering the league in 2014. This season, Louisville has to go to Death Valley to play Clemson, which is one of their best chances for a No. 1 win in the series. With Dabo Swinney refusing to enter the transfer portal and the Tigers coming off their worst season since 2010, the Tigers' rise as a true national title contender appears to be in the rearview mirror. Despite having talent with high school recruiting, they lost a lot of production to the draft and portal, and on top of that, their offense last season was very underwhelming as it stands. Winning is not easy, but it is very possible.
(Photo by Jeff Brohm: Jamie Rose – USA TODAY Sports)
You can follow Louisville Report for future coverage by liking us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Facebook – @LouisvilleReport
twitter – @UofLReport
Instagram – @louisville_report
You can also follow Deputy Editor Matthew McGavic. @Matt_McGavic on Twitter
