Louisville football is officially less than three weeks away from week one of the upcoming college football season. Teams across the nation are in the thick of final preparations, finalizing depth charts, and beginning to gameplan for the opponents that lie ahead of them.
Football is back, alive and well in the River City once again, and preseason coverage brings excitement, anticipation, and expectations to every college football program.
It also brings award watch lists and bold predictions, and multiple Louisville players have recently been receiving some national attention leading up to the start of the season. The Cardinals are anticipated to once again have a talented roster, especially on the offensive side of the ball. Here are 5 Louisville Cardinal offensive players who could play their way into All-ACC honors by season’s end.
Related: 3 key positions that Louisville football can't afford to face injuries in 2025
5. Pete Nygra, C
The big guys up front for the offense will be the key to a run game that is anticipated to be the focal point of the offense. The leader of this group should be senior center Pete Nygra, as the Indianapolis area native transferred from Northern Illinois before the start of last season and started all 13 games for the Cardinals.
Nygra anchored an offensive line that provided key protection to Tyler Shough as well as opened many holes for Isaac Brown and Duke Watson to run free through. Louisville has its eyes set on the ACC Championship game, and with the offensive line as the biggest area of concern entering the 2025 season, Nygra quickly emerges as someone likely to step up for Brohm.
The 6-foot-4, 300-pound senior was recently added to the Rimington preseason watch list, which recognizes the top center in college football at the end of the season. Nygra looks to continue playing a massive role for Brian Brohm, which includes being the leader and key blocker up front, as well as giving the offense plenty of opportunities to make game-changing plays.
Related: Key Louisville fan-favorite steps up as locker room leader this offseason
4. Jaleel Skinner, TE
The departure of Jamari Johnson at the end of last season left many Cards fan disappointed, especially after the promise Johnson showed most of the season as one of Shough’s most reliable targets. However, this departure provided an opportunity for other tight ends to step up and take on the role of TE1.
From the observations from fall camp and the buzz around the position, it appears this role will go to junior Jaleel Skinner. The former Miami Hurricane transfer Skinner has the size and talent to step into this role with ease at 6-foot-5, 230 pounds.
The former 4-star recruit has distanced himself from the competition and solidified himself as the probable starter for week one for the offense. If last year was any indication, Brohm wants the tight end position to be utilized as a key part of the offensive scheme and passing game. If used effectively, Skinner should take a massive leap in his junior season and should see his postseason award stock rise as the season progresses.
Related: 10 Louisville football players generating the most buzz in 2025 fall camp
3. Miller Moss, QB
Miller Moss transferred to Louisville this past offseason as one of the more highly touted transfer quarterbacks available after a disappointing end to his tenure at USC. He is looking to revitalize his career under the guidance of Jeff Brohm and with the weapons the Louisville offense possesses.
The senior QB has had mixed reviews entering the season, most noting issues with interceptions that ended his stint as QB at USC. However, Moss also showed moments of brilliance, including a massive game to start the 2024 season against a tough LSU team and, of course, his six-touchdown performance to beat Louisville in the Holiday Bowl.
Moss was recently noted as a member of the preseason watch list for the Davey O’Brien Trophy, which is awarded to the best college football QB at season’s end. Luckily, Moss will have two highly touted running backs shouldering a bulk of the offensive load for the Cardinals.
This should open up plenty of opportunities for the play-action game for Moss and increase the likelihood of considerable play potential. Moss has arguably the best quarterback mentor in college football in Jeff Brohm, and if all goes according to plan, Moss has a great chance of receiving All-ACC honors himself.
Related: 3 crucial factors Miller Moss must master to lead Louisville to an ACC Title
2. Chris Bell, WR
Miller Moss will have plenty of talented targets to throw to this upcoming season, most notably returning senior Chris Bell. The 6-foot-2, 220-pound receiver is looking to step into the lead receiver role after a solid junior year alongside former Louisville receiver Ja’Corey Brooks.
Bell posted 43 receptions last year to go along with 737 receiving yards and four touchdowns as WR2. Bell has the talent to step into the WR1 role and be the main playmaking target for QB Moss.
Bell was named to the preseason Biletnikoff Award watchlist, which is given to the top college football wide receiver at the end of the season. He has been a standout at practices this fall and is proving why many believe he will be the primary go-to target that Moss needs.
He will have assistance from other highly touted weapons, including senior Caullin Lacy, who returns to Louisville after a season cut short by unfortunate injuries. With Bell’s size, talent, and experience, he will be a prime candidate for a spot on the All-ACC awards list.
Related: 2 Louisville Cardinals stocks rising, 2 that are falling entering 2025 season
1. Isaac Brown, RB
The unquestioned breakout star of the 2024 Louisville Cardinals returns for his sophomore season. A member of the 2024 All-ACC second team, Isaac Brown looks to improve upon his 1,000-yard rushing season from last year and move up to the first team honor.
Brown will have an experienced offensive line blocking for him, as well as other talented RBs in Duke Watson and Keyjuan Brown, to assist in sharing the load and avoiding potential overuse. Many believe that Louisville's success will begin and end with the production from the run game, which further exemplifies the key role Brown will play for this team.
Brown has been named to two preseason watchlists to start the season. The first is the Paul Hornung Award watchlist, which is awarded to the most versatile college football player of the season. Brown’s role in the receiving and return games has yet to be clearly defined. The second is the Walter Camp Award, given to the most outstanding player in college football. This could also easily be seen if Brown has the year most anticipate him to have for the Cardinals.
With all this national attention, if Brown takes care of business on the ground and builds off the year he posted last season, he could be one of the top candidates for the All-ACC honors at the season’s conclusion.
Related: Louisville's star RB zeroes in on game-changing fix to unlock limitless domination
For all the latest on Louisville football's offseason, stay tuned.