Isaac Brown has been earning high praise all offseason, but he just received the biggest praise yet to date. Louisville football's star running back is entering his true sophomore season, and after a record-breaking freshman season, the whole nation has its eyes on the Cardinals' running back.
Brown has recently been listed on the Walter Camp Player of the Year Watch List and the Doak Walker Award Watch List, but just earlier this week, he found his name on his first Preseason All-American First-Team. This massive reward comes with a bold take from Sporting News, as Brown was selected as the second running back on their All-American team, forcing Penn State's Nick Singleton off the list.
Related: Isaac Brown and Duke Watson join elite company fueling Louisville football buzz
Isaac Brown selected over Nick Singleton for Preseason All-American First-Team
Brown is deserving of this spotlight as he proved last season he can be one of the best running backs in the country, but Sporting News putting Brown over Singleton is quite a surprise. Notre Dame's Jeremiyah Love and Singleton have been thought of as the unanimous No. 1 and No. 2 running backs entering the 2025 season, and Brown has emerged as the consensus No. 3 running back.
However, Sporting News sees it differently and ranks Brown higher than everyone else.
"Brown (5-9, 190) rushed for 1,173 yards and 11 TDs on 7.1 yards per carry with Louisville in 2024. He averaged 123.3 yards per game in Louisville's last three games – a stretch that included victories against Pitt, Kentucky and Washington. Brown rushed for 10 yards or more on 18.9% of his carries last season. For perspective, Ashton Jeanty rushed for 10 yards or more on 16.8% of his carries. Brown has the potential for a monster year – even in a time-share with Duke Watson. "Bill Bender
As stated above, Brown is coming off one of the best seasons in Louisville running back history. The 5-foot-9 190 190-pound tailback shattered Lamar Jackson's rushing yard record as a true freshman and tied Jackson's record for most 100 yards or more in a season with five games.
Brown's incredible season earned him All-ACC Rookie of the Year and a spot on the All-ACC Second Team. The silver lining is that he was selected over Singleton. Penn State's running back has high expectations coming into the upcoming season, but what is becoming clear is that the skills difference is much more competitive in that top three than some may think.
Brown has a legitimate shot to be the best running back in 2025, and he is much closer to Love and Singleton than the nation realizes. Sporting News just proved that by selecting Brown over Singleton.
Related: 3 Cardinals with legitimate breakout potential for Louisville Football in 2025
For all the latest on Louisville football's offseason, stay tuned.