Louisville football is trending to be a College Football Playoff sleeper team, and the big reason why is the addition of Miller Moss. While Moss is coming off a disappointing season with USC, ESPN just stated he is one of the most important players in the ACC.
In a recent article by ESPN, Bill Connelly ranks the 40 most important players in college football for the 2025 season, and Miller Moss was listed on it. Connelly doesn't just rank these players one through 40, but breaks it down into many categories, one being "The most important players in the ACC race."
Moss's name is the No. 3 name listed on his list out of four players, as Kevin Jennings from SMU and Rueben Bain Jr from Miami are ranked above him, and Duke's Darian Mensah is listed behind him.
Expert reveals Louisville CFP dreams rides on Miller Moss shoulders
Related: Jeff Brohm reveals Miller Moss must improve in one key area before 2025 season
It is no surprise that Moss made this list. If the Cardinals want to crash the College Football Playoffs this year, Moss must step up and have a similar season to Tyler Shough and Jack Plummer. The two former Cardinals quarterbacks also played for Louisville for just one season and transferred in. Both went on to throw for over 3,000 yards and lead Louisville to at least nine wins.
For Moss, the stakes are higher. Many fans and experts believe Moss's potential is higher than that of the previous two quarterbacks, and he fits better in Brohm's system. Connelly points out that the stakes are high for Moss because now, with this lethal running back duo and one of the best wide receivers in the nation, Louisville should have a strong chance of returning to Charlotte for the ACC Championship game.
"Moss was on this list last year as he prepared to succeed Caleb Williams at USC. He started the season brilliantly in a win over LSU but finished it on the bench as the Trojans wound up 7-6. He wasn't bad -- he finished 26th in Total QBR -- but a fresh start sure seemed like a decent idea. Jeff Brohm has a pretty good history with quarterbacks, and Moss will have one of the nation's best RB duos (plus explosive receiver Chris Bell) in support. A big Moss season makes the Cardinals contenders."Bill Connelly
Moss might have been benched last season and thrown nine interceptions to just 18 touchdowns, but like everyone is saying, he is the perfect quarterback to play for Brohm. He is a hard worker who loves the game, and with his ability to throw deep and to let it fly, he is exactly what this team needs.
Louisville fans tend to think the season rests on how good the defense plays, and while this is partially true, ESPN is right, and Moss is the most important player on the team. If Louisville wants to return to Charlotte and make a run to the College Football Playoffs, Moss can't play like he did last season; he must play like he did against the Cardinals in 2023 in the Holiday Bowl.
Related: Brian Brohm reveals Louisville’s plan for maximizing Miller Moss in 2025
For all the latest on Louisville football's offseason, stay tuned.