Louisville football is closing in on its first game of the 2025 as the Cardinals are set to kick off from L&N Stadium on Saturday, August 30, at 3 p.m. local time. Jeff Brohm and his Cardinals recently held the first scrimmage of fall camp, and the second scrimmage is expected to happen tomorrow, August 13.
Louisville fans are counting down the day to kickoff as they have even higher expectations with transfer Miller Moss under center this season, and believe this Cardinals team is poised for another nine-win season. Louisville has won 19 games over the last two seasons combined, the most wins in two seasons since 2013 and 2014.
The Cardinals are emerging as a hot bet right now for their win total, as nearly every expert believes Louisville is a lock for nine wins or more. For Louisville to return to Charlotte, crash the College Football Playoffs, and earn nine wins or more for the third straight season, Brohm's Cardinals must stay healthy.
So, that said, here are three positions that Louisville football cannot afford to face injuries in 2025.
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3. Linebacker
The Cardinals' defense has some areas of concern entering the 2025 season, but one area everyone is confident in is the Cardinals' starting linebackers. Louisville's three linebackers, Stanquan Clark, T.J. Quinn, and Anotnoio Watts, are stars on the defensive side, making them irreplaceable.
Quinn and Clark led the Cardinals in tackles last season, with a combined 158 tackles, and Quinn led Louisville with his 82 total tackles last season and led Louisville with 91 total tackles in 2023. Clark is earning national spotlight and becoming the star of this defense as his ability to hit hard and defend the run has him earning a spot on the Butkus Award Watch List.
While Louisville, of course, needs these stars on the field for their skills, it is also worth noting that their depth is severely lacking. The Cardinals expect former 5-star T.J. Capers to take a big step this season, but Louisville is relying heavily on its top three.
The Cardinals' defense wants to avoid the letdown season it had in 2024, and if they want to have a year like 2023, then this linebacker core must be healthy.
Related: Jeff Brohm reveals two crucial veterans as early standouts in Louisville fall camp
2. Offensive Line
No surprise here, but the Cardinals desperately need this starting group to stay healthy. The offensive line is going to rely heavily on some new faces to step up, and a couple of transfers, after Louisville lost four starters from last season.
The offensive line is the Cardinals' biggest area of concern on offense. Pete Nygra is earning national spotlight after making the Rimington Trophy Watch List. Louisville's rushing attack is going to be the focal point of this offense, but the line must create gaps for the running backs, while also giving Miller Moss some time when he drops back.
The Cardinals' offensive line's Pro Football Focus grade ranked middle of the pack last season, and with Brohm and Richard Owens needing these new faces to step up, the depth doesn't run too deep.
Like the linebacker position, there are stars in Nygra and Lance Robinson, but once you go past those two areas, concerns arise. Louisville's offense must be just as dominant, if not more dominant, this season if they want to make it back to Charlotte, and the offensive line must stay healthy for that to happen.
Related: 10 Louisville football players generating the most buzz in 2025 fall camp
1. Quarterback
ESPN recently wrote about the most important players in the ACC, and one of the top players mentioned is USC transfer and Brohm's next star quarterback, Miller Moss. The 4-star transfer is expected to excel under Brohm and help guide this team to history and return to Charlotte.
Moss has shown flashes of brilliance during fall camp, and while he has areas to work on, he is the clear No. 1 choice at quarterback. Louisville expects Moss to have a massive season in 2025, and they need that to happen for the goals they have in mind.
The Cardinals are currently having a quarterback battle for the No. 2 spot between Deuce Adams and Brady Allen. While both quarterbacks have shown potential, Louisville needs Moss to remain healthy and be their No. 1 guy.
Related: 3 crucial factors Miller Moss must master to lead Louisville to an ACC Title
For all the latest on Louisville football's offseason, stay tuned.