Louisville Cardinals news: QB forecast, 4-star visits, more

The Louisville Cardinals have their quarterback of the future, in Pierce Clarkson, and their quarterback of the present. Recently, Jeff Brohm received his latest transfer portal commitment from California’s Jack Plummer. Plummer previously played for Jeff Brohm when he was at Purdue, so the 6-foot-5 gunslinger is already familiar with the new system he is set to lead.

Plummer headlines a quarterback room of Pierce Clarkson, Khalib Johnson, Brock Domann, Evan Conley, and preferred walk-ons Sam Young, Sam Vaulton, and Nathan McElroy. A room of this many players has to be like walking into a candy store for former Louisville star quarterback Jeff Brohm and incoming offensive coordinator and former Louisville star quarterback Brian Brohm.

It’s only a matter of time before Brian Brohm joins his brother’s staff officially in Louisville after he fulfilled his role as the interim Head Coach for Purdue in their 63-7 loss to the LSU Tigers in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl.

Purdue recently announced the hiring of Illinois defensive coordinator Ryan Walters as their new Head Coach and not too long after the Boilermakers announced the hiring of Graham Harrell as their new offensive coordinator. So, the days in West Lafayette are numbered for Brian Brohm and the excitement begins to build as he nears the time to join his brother on staff in Louisville to help steer the future of the Louisville offense, particuarly the quarterback position, in the right direction.

Now that Cardinals fans can exhale with the official signing of Pierce Clarkson on National Signing Day, there has already been speculation on signal callers Louisville could target in years to come. And all of them are going to be or already are great talents.

In the 2024 recruiting class, there are two names that stick out:

Jayden Bradford | QB | IMG Academy | Class of 2024

According to college football recruiting media, Jayden Bradford’s recruitment is all over the place. But, in an article published by Nittany Nation’s Dylan Callaghan-Croley, he notes that Bradford announced a top four of Louisville, Penn State, North Carolina State, and South Carolina. Publisher of CardinalSports.com, Ty Spalding, and Recruiting Analyst for CardinalSports.com, David Lackford, both have FutureCasted Bradford to commit to Louisville over the other competition.

However, the four-star quarterback has been projected to go to Penn State by JC Shurburtt on 247 Sports. So the potential for him to go to several schools is still an option, but at the very least Louisville is still in contention. Knowing what the Brohm brothers can do both in recruiting and through developing at the quarterback position, Bradford could have a successful career in the red and white.

Samaj Jones | QB | St. Joseph’s Preparatory School | Class of 2024

The three-star quarterback currently holds offers from several Division I programs that include Louisville, Tennessee, Boston College, Penn State, among others. Jones was on-campus in Louisville for their win over the Pittsburgh Panthers and he told Cardinal Authority’s Jody Demling that Louisville was a “beautiful atmosphere.”

Unfortunately, he also notes he had a great relationship with former Louisville quarterbacks coach Pete Thomas, and his scholarship offer was under the former regime. But, if there is one thing that Brohm has proven, it’s that he has the ability to keep recruits that were previously recruited by a different coaching staff. So, Jones is another name to keep an eye on in terms of receiving a new scholarship offer.

One of the most exciting prospects with Louisville on their radar is 2025 four-star southpaw quarterback, Austin Simmons. Simmons currently leads Pahokee High School in Pahokee, Florida.

Austin Simmons | QB | Pahokee High School | Class of 2025

Simmons has the height that Jeff Brohm likes, as he stands at 6-foot-2.5. What is key to notice in his recruitment is that he posted a graphic on Twitter of all of his current scholarship offers after Jeff Brohm was hired at Louisville. So it seems that he currently holds an offer from the current staff and not the former staff.

The four-star quarterback has also tweeted on two separate occassions interacting with the Louisville fanbase and his most recent one was in regards to the signing of quarterback Jack Plummer.

Looking deep into the future of the program by taking a dive into the freshmen in high school that are not set to graduate until 2026, it’s easy for these kids to become a quick after-thought. But, Louisville has already had their eye on one of those prospects, who was here earlier this year on a visit. 

Brodie McWhorter | QB | Cass High School | Class of 2026

Deuce Recruiting, a recruiting division of Born to Compete, which is a well-known source for high school sports, recently attributed a three-star rating to the 6-foot-2 quarterback out of Cartersville, Georgia. McWhorter was on-campus earlier this year on a visit when Louisville played NC State.

While he was in town he told Big Red Louie that his “visit was great.” He currently does not hold an offer from the Cardinals, but with his ability already at the freshman level, his height, and his previous visit to the school, McWhorter is defintely one to keep an eye on for Louisville fans.

Other Louisville Cardinals News

Louisville Football Recruiting

Jackson State wide receiver Kevin Coleman recently entered his name into the transfer portal and he was in Louisville this past weekend on an official visit. It appears he has had some great interactions on Twitter with current Louisville wide receiver Ahmari Huggins-Bruce and after talking with Louisville Twitter’s Raxx Crosby, he noted that the former four-star recruit currently follows AHB on Twitter, so the love between those two guys is real.

Memphis tight end transfer Caden Prieskorn was rumored to be in town this weekend on a visit to Louisville as well. There were no official reports on it other than a thread on Cardinal Authority that reported it. The tight end position is something that is in need for the Cardinals with the departure of Isaac Martin, Josh Lifson, and Marshon Ford.

Plus, Jamari Johnson, the Cardinals top tight end prospect, is set to make his official decision this weekend at the Under Armour All-American Bowl and he is between Louisville and Oregon, all the while still being verbally committed to the Cardinals.

Louisville Football Coaching Staff

The University of Cincinnati announced the additions of former Louisville coaches Greg Gasparato and Josh Stepp. Gasparato will coach the Outside Linebackers for the Bearcats, while Stepp will coach the wide receivers.