The spring transfer portal opens tomorrow afternoon, but many players are already announcing their decisions and whether they are entering their names. Louisville football has already lost two players, JoJo Stone and Austin Collins, and is expected to lose a few more.
The Cardinals must attack the wide receiver room and the defensive backs in the transfer portal if they want to compete for the ACC crown. The Cardinals recently just had their annual Spring Game, and after Friday night's performance, fans are feeling pretty confident in this team, especially with a few players.
Head coach Jeff Brohm expressed that after the game, he was pretty pleased with his starter's performance and shined a light on multiple players. With the portal opening tomorrow, we want to shine a light on these three players as their stocks skyrocketed after the Spring Game.
3 Cardinals stocks that skyrocketed after the Louisville football Spring Game
3. Brady Allen - QB
Everyone knows USC transfer Miller Moss is set to be the Cardinals' starting quarterback. However, the glaring question many fans and experts are wondering is who will be the QB2 behind the 4-star transfer. Louisville's quarterback room was a big concern for some, as Deuce Adams had a bit of a disappointing spring camp, so someone who had to step up is the sophomore quarterback Brady Allen.
The 6-foot-6, 220-pound quarterback had a spectacular performance Friday night and proved he can be the quarterback behind Moss. Allen completed 71.4 percent of his throws, throwing 10-of-14 for 124 passing yards. Allen had a great showing on Friday night and gave a lot of fans a breath of fresh air, as the Cardinals were a bit worried about that quarterback.
However, after that impressive performance, it is clear that Allen is poised to be the backup behind Moss, and he has the skills and potential to be a great option at QB2. He showed great reaction and potential in the Spring Game and completed multiple passes that caused fans to be impressed with the backup.
After the Spring Game, not only did Allen's stock rise, but it also gave Brohm some reassurance as he doesn't feel the need to target a quarterback in the transfer portal now. The Cardinals have some high expectations for the mobile quarterback, Deuce Adams, but after Allen's performance on Friday, there is clearly a gap between Allen and Adams in the quarterback room.
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2. Rodney Johnson Jr. - CB
An area of concern is the Cardinals' secondary. Louisville lost four of its top five defensive backs either to the NFL or the transfer portal, and the Cardinals' defensive backs in the Spring Game surprised many. One player in this secondary who stood out the most was the Southern University transfer Rodney Johnson Jr.
Johnson had an impressive interception in the Spring Game as he was seen ripping the ball away from the Cardinal receiver, showing his ball tracking and strength. The Cardinals need someone to take the lead and be that DB1 for Brohm and his defense, and after Friday night's Spring Game, Johnson's stocks skyrocketed up to be that guy.
Along with his interception, he also added an impressive sack, showing off his speed and tackling as he blitzed from the cornerback position. He was able to track the quarterback, provide pressure, and earn the sack.
The 6-foot-2, 200-pound defensive back is coming off his best collegiate season as he earned 23 solo tackles, 43 total tackles, 6.0 tackles for a loss, five pass deflections, one interception, and one forced fumble.
The Cardinal's secondary is an area of need in the spring transfer portal, but after Johnsons' performance on Friday, a lot were impressed and feel more confident in this secondary. The Second-Team All-SWAC corner will be a great addition to this Cardinals defense next season, and after Friday, it wouldn't shock many if his stocks continue to rise throughout the summer and into the Cardinal's first game on Aug. 30.
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1. Caullin Lacy - WR
The Louisville Cardinals desperately need wide receivers as the Cardinals continue to lose wide receivers from last year to the transfer portal and NFL Draft. Jeff Brohm and his team lost their No. 1 wide receiver, Ja'Corey Brooks, to the NFL, as Brooks led the Cardinals in receptions and catches last season. The future pro brought in 61 catches for 1,013 yards and nine touchdowns, earning him a spot on the All-ACC First-Team.
The Cardinals will have one of the best receivers in the ACC, Chris Bell, as he is projected to be one of the top five receivers in the ACC next year. However, Bell didn't perform well in the Spring Game, but a player who proved he is an elite playmaker on the outside is Caullin Lacy. The Cardinals slot receiver brought in 99 receiving yards and a touchdown, proving he can be the Cardinals elite slot receiver and step up for this thin wide receiver room.
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Lacy only played in a handful of games last year, as he will be coming off an injury from last season. In his five games last season, he brought in 18 catches for 196 yards and a touchdown. However, his stocks rose after that Spring Game, as he showed flashes of his junior season with Southern Alabama when he secured 91 receptions for 1,316 receiving yards.
The Cardinals receiver is expected to take a massive leap and be one of the best receivers in the nation and be a great option for Miller Moss. The Spring Game gave fans hope for the 2025 season as he had one of the night's best performances.