Louisville football: 21st century All-Cardinal offensive team

Offensive tackle – Breno Giacomini

2004-2008

Breno Giacomini showed up to Louisville with the intentions to play tight end for the Cards, and many were calling him one of the biggest steals of the recruiting class in 2004 due to his size and athleticism. His rise from tight end, to back up offensive lineman, to starting right tackle makes him one of the most surprising greats of the 21st Century for the Cards.

Giacomini showed up to Louisville at just 242 pounds before eventually bulking up and moving from the tight end position to the offensive line in a move that would pay dividends for Bobby Petrino and the Cards.

After playing in mostly back-up roles his first three years, in his senior season, Giacomini moved to right tackle, starting in every game that year, allowing only four sacks and two pressures, which eventually earned him honors on the All-Big East second-team. While the Cards really struggled that season under Steve Kragthorpe, Giacomini was a dominant fixture on the line for Louisville.

Without a doubt, Giacomini was one of the most impressive linemen the Cards have had during the 21st century, playing with the athleticism of a tight end and the power of a mauling offensive guard. Giacomini gave both Bobby Petrino and Steve Kragthorpe the ability to do unique and creative things in the passing game (one capitalized, the other did not) as well as in the run game but to a lesser extent.

Giacomini went on to have an extremely successful playing career, even winning a Super Bowl ring with the Seattle Seahawks.