The spring transfer portal deadline passed, and the Louisville football program escaped it with just a few scars. Louisville lost their star interior offensive lineman, Austin Collins, and a couple of tight ends, but for the most part, it was successful.
Louisville has added some key pieces and is still in conversation with game-changing players, like Davon Mitchell, the former 4-star Oklahoma tight end commit. The Cardinals played their spring game back on April 11 and showed significant promise for the 2025 season. The offense showcased some elite playmakers on the outside, and Caullin Lacy shone bright with 99 receiving yards and a receiving touchdown.
The Cardinals' offseason hasn't gone unnoticed. Andy Staples of On3 Sports recently put out his own College football post-spring top 25, and the Cardinals nation will be pleased to see their squad ranked in it.
Related: Louisville football 2025 game-by-game predictions
Louisville football cracks On3 post-spring Top 25
Well, considering that Louisville football is coming off a nine-win season, including their historic victory over the Clemson Tigers, it is only fitting that Jeff Brohm and his Cards are predicted to be one of the top 25 teams next season.
Louisville still has a lot to accomplish this offseason if it wants to compete for the program's first-ever ACC crown, but Staples understands that Louisville's schedule favors the Cards, and the ceiling for this offense is extremely high.
""The Cardinals played one of the tougher ACC schedules last season and weren’t quite good enough. But this may be a better overall team playing against an easier schedule. We’ll see if coach Jeff Brohm — a noted QB whisperer — can get out of Miller Moss what fellow noted QB whisperer Lincoln Riley couldn’t. We saw in the Sun Bowl win against Washington what Louisville had hoped to get from receiver Caullin Lacy through all of 2024, but an injury forced Lacy to redshirt. If the Cardinals get that production in 2025, the offense could be dangerous.""Andy Staples
The ACC had four teams represented in Staples' way-too-early top 25 rankings, with the Cardinals ranking fourth among ACC teams. The Clemson Tigers skyrocketed to No. 3 in the nation as they led the pack, with SMU coming in at No. 14 and Miami at No. 20.
Related: This three-game gauntlet will define Louisville football's fate in 2025
The Cardinals will play all three teams this season, with the matchups against SMU and Miami being on the road. Louisville must find a way to go 2-1 in these three massive games if they want a shot at the ACC title.
For all the latest on Louisville football's offseason, stay tuned.