Louisville football held its third and final scrimmage over the weekend, concluding its fall camp. Jeff Brohm and his staff now officially make the transition from fall camp into game prep as the Cardinals shift their entire focus to Eastern Kentucky.
Louisville saw many players step up this camp and prove they are ready to either make the transition to Power 4 competition or the starting role. However, they also saw some players take a step back and either raise some concern or lose their jobs.
So, now that fall camp is over and the Cardinals' week one showdown is just 12 days away, here are two Louisville Cardinals stocks rising, and two that are falling after fall camp.
2 Louisville Cardinals stocks rising, 2 that are falling after fall camp
4. Rising - Rodney Johnson Jr.
Louisville's secondary has been earning more and more praise from the Cardinals coaching staff, and one big reason is because of transfer cornerback Rodney Johnson Jr. The senior transfer from Southern University has emerged as the projected starting cornerback for the Cardinals after his strong spring and fall camp performances.
Johnson is coming off a year where he earned 31 total tackles, one forced fumble, and one interception. In his three seasons, he has logged a total of 89 tackles, 11 pass deflections, one forced fumble, and one interception.
The Cardinals' secondary needed a lot of help after losing multiple players to eligibility and the NFL Draft, and after a letdown season last year, Brohm has made it clear he wants this unit to step it up.
The 6-foot-2, 200-pound corner is coming off an All-SWAC season, and the Louisville staff is hoping for similar results this year in the ACC.
Related: 10 Louisville football players generating the most buzz in 2025 fall camp
3. Falling - Deuce Adams
A player who is trending in the opposite direction is quarterback Deuce Adams. Many experts believe Brady Allen is ahead of Adams for that QB2 position, especially after a disappointing spring camp.
Adams didn't stand out this fall like he had after his spring camp, and Allen showed promise to be Miller Moss's backup if something awful happens. The 6-foot-1, 170-pound quarterback is a redshirt freshman, but many were hoping to see a big leap this offseason, and it just didn't happen from the underclassman QB.
Louisville will likely put Adams at QB3, but Bran Brohm and Jeff Brohm have both mentioned true freshman Mason Mims a few times now, making it appear the gap from Adams and Mims is smaller than some may think.
Related: 3 Louisville football players already on transfer watch before the 2025 season starts
4. Rising - Chris Bell
The stock that is rising the most after fall camp is wide receiver Chris Bell. The star receiver enters the 2025 season no longer as a sleeper, or under-the-radar, or underrated receiver, but is now one of the most anticipated players in the country.
Bell showed his skills off in camp and scrimmages with remarkable catches, and heard his name praised by major experts. The 6-foot-2, 220-pound receiver was labeled as a game changer by David Pollack and is the No. 2 receiver in multiple 2026 NFL Draft mock drafts. He has even been compared to Super Bowl champion A.J. Brown, proving his potential this upcoming season is limitless.
After playing behind Ja'Corey Brooks, Bell is ready to make that jump to WR1, and with Caullin Lacy alongside him, the star receiver should have an All-ACC season.
Related: 5 Louisville football offensive players in the running for All-ACC awards this season
3. Falling - Offensive line
Similar to our rankings after fall camp, the most significant area of concern on offense entering week one is the offensive line. Brohm has made it clear that the offensive line is taking a step back, as first they could not play through the heat, and now it is their performance.
Brohm addressed the media after the third scrimmage and stated the offense was holding, making ill-advised penalties, and forcing the offense into punt situations. The Cardinals' line has to get it figured out by week one and make sure to protect Moss and Isaac Brown.
Winning the trenches is crucial in big games, and if Louisville wants to beat Miami, Clemson, and SMU, then this offensive line unit must step up and play to its potential. Pete Nygra has shown signs of leadership and improvement after his first season last year.
Now, the other newcomers must step up and follow his footsteps. The Cardinals' front line can be solid, but they must limit penalties and continue to work together and protect their quarterback.