Feels like just yesterday the Buckeyes were celebrating a national title. But hey, it’s already time to talk 2025, and you know there’s always that underdog program lurking. Last year gave us a glimpse as Vanderbilt slayed the SEC dominance of Alabama, and the Indiana Hoosiers cruised to 2nd in the Big 10 with 11 wins. And just as quickly as the previous year ended, preparation for a new season is already underway. A $238K CFB program is gearing up to take the field at the Trager Center, launching its 3rd spring camp under its promising HC.
While his 1st season was noteworthy with an ACC championship appearance, their 2024 season, while not perfect overall, was a good one with 9-4 overall and 5-3 in ACC play, plus a 35-34 win over Washington in the Sun Bowl as part of a three-game winning streak to end the year. However, the new journey begins Monday, Mar. 3, and builds toward the grand finale on Friday, Apr. 11, with the highly anticipated spring game. But don’t overlook this squad—Greg McElroy has a clear message—sleeping on this CFB program would be a mistake.
On the March 21st episode of ESPN College Football, Greg McElroy tackled the big ACC question—who are the real contenders? Is it the Clemson Tigers, Florida State, or Syracuse? Then came the bombshell, and he put the spotlight on the $238K team, Louisville Cardinals, questioning why they still fly under the radar.
Look, “they were nine and four last year, they were five and three. They have been of the most consistent winners in the ACC in the last handful of years,” said McElroy. On top of that, he praised Jeff Brohm’s ability to develop quarterbacks, from Jack Plummer to Tyler Shough, calling Shough “to one of the most productive and one of the most physically gifted quarterbacks in the country.” Louisville might be slept on, but McElroy isn’t buying it.
And here’s why—Jeff’s journey hasn’t been smooth. We all know for the past two seasons, Jeff Brohm has taken QBs with question marks—injury history, inconsistency, raw talent—and turned them into stars. And now, he’s ready for round three. Here, enter Miller Moss, the USC transfer poised to take the reins.
Although he might not have Tyler Shough’s arm, his accuracy and decision-making make him a perfect fit. As Greg McElroy put it, saying, “They should be in a really good spot.” Honestly, Louisville’s QB pipeline keeps rolling, and Moss could be the next big name. Not only this, Louisville’s offense is loaded with firepower. Rising star Isaac Brown leads the backfield, while the return of WR Caullin Lacy adds another explosive weapon. And if everything clicks, this unit could be one of the most electrifying offenses in the country. But the biggest question mark?
The secondary! Well, once a strength, it now faces uncertainty after key departures, including standout Quincy Riley. As of now, Louisville hit the transfer portal hard to reload, but how quickly this group gels in the ACC will be a storyline to watch. However, Greg McElroy sees serious firepower in Louisville’s backfield.
Isaac Brown was a breakout star last season, racking up over 1,527 all-purpose yards as one of the nation’s top freshmen. But there’s another name to watch—Duke Watson. He didn’t get many touches, but when he did, he made them count. And averaging nearly nine yards per carry with seven TDs, Watson adds another explosive element to an already dangerous offense.
“So keep sleeping on Louisville, I dare you; at some point, people are going to recognize that Jeff Brohm has built a consistent winner and one that will always flirt with 9 or 10 wins on an annual basis,” McElroy said, making it clear that they’re not to be overlooked. As of now, with Brown and Watson forming a lethal one-two punch in the backfield, the Cardinals have game-changing potential. While these 2 can break open a play at any moment, under Jeff Brohm, winning isn’t a question—it’s an expectation.
Year after year, this program delivers. So, doubt them if you want, but sooner or later, the CFB world will wake up to what’s happening in Louisville. And the ‘fastest-rising’ NFL prospect has already put this program on the map.
Alongside Greg McElroy, an NFL prospect is putting Louisville in the spotlight
As the 2025 NFL Draft nears, Louisville QB Tyler Shough is turning heads. And his blazing 4.54-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine put him just 0.13 seconds behind ex-Ducks wideout Tez Johnson. But speed isn’t the only thing catching scouts’ attention. Shough’s complete skill set is pushing him up draft boards, proving he is more than just a quick runner—he’s a true dual-threat talent.
Jordan Schultz of FOX Sports is keeping a close eye on Tyler Shough’s meteoric rise. And he called the Louisville QB “one of the fastest-rising prospects in the draft.” While according to ESPN, Shough is set to meet with several teams ahead of the selection, including the Seahawks and Steelers, Schultz tweeted, “Louisville QB Tyler Shough—one of the fastest-rising prospects in the draft—has 10 pre-draft visits and four private workouts lined up with key decision-makers, including GMs, head coaches, and offensive coordinators, sources said.”
As of now, with the draft just over a month away, the buzz around Tyler Shough continues to grow. And the Louisville QB isn’t just turning heads with his talent—his leadership is making waves too. Speaking with the NFL Network, Shough reflected on the energy inside the Cardinals’ locker room, saying, “Everybody’s kind of coming in there super tight, you know, I’m like, Man, it’s like dead silent in here. Let’s get everybody going.” Let’s be real, his confidence and presence are exactly what NFL teams are looking for. With Shough’s rocket rise and Moss stepping into his cleats, is Louisville about to become the QB pipeline of the future?
The post Greg McElroy Warns Against Sleeping on $238K CFB Program as ‘Fastest-Rising’ NFL Prospect Puts School on the Map appeared first on EssentiallySports.