Louisville's key X-factor draws national attention for his breakout potential in 2025

Louisville football has had many players receive recognition this offseason and make award watch lists, but Caullin Lacy making the Comeback Player of the Year Watch List makes the most sense.

Lacy is coming off a season where he had so much hype and promise to play with the new Saints quarterback, Tyler Shough. Transferring in from South Alabama, Lacy was one of the best wide receivers in the nation back in 2023, but the elite transfer saw limited action due to multiple injuries.

Now, after opting to sit out 2024 after the Miami game and returning just for the bowl game, Lacy emerges as one of Louisville's glaring X-factors in the 2025 season.

Related: Louisville football unsung hero will age like fine wine under new coach Deion Branch

Caullin Lacy emerges as Louisville's glaring X-factor

Back in 2023, Lacy was a dominant force on the football field. The speedy wide receiver was in the top six for both catches and receiving yards as he hauled in 91 catches for 1,316 receiving yards and seven touchdowns.

The 5-foot-10, 180-pound receiver earned First-Team All-Sun Belt honors after his dominant 2023 season. Lacy logged an impressive stat line during his four seasons with South Alabama, as he earned 207 catches for 2,517 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns.

Now, Deion Branch and Jeff Brohm hope to get similar production this season with Miller Moss. The Cardinals fans have been teased a few times this offseason as they see Lacy showcase his speed and athleticism in multiple social media clips.

With a lot of attention going to Chris Bell, Lacy is poised for a breakout season. Both receivers have the potential to earn 1,000 receiving yards this season, as Bell earned 737 receiving yards last season, but was playing behind Ja'Corey Brooks.

Now, with Bell and Lacy being the clear No. 1 and No. 2 options for Moss, both should see their production skyrocket. Last season, in the handful of games Lacy played, he earned 18 catches for 196 receiving yards and one touchdown.

Lacy showed he was poised to make an easy transition and dominate for Louisville as he earned 50 receiving yards or more in three of the four games he played, including a 71-yard receiving game against the National Championship runner-ups, Notre Dame. Now, the star receiver emerges as one of Louisville's key X-factors heading into the 2025 season, and if he is healthy, he can be one of the best receivers in the ACC.

Related: 5 Louisville football players with the most to prove in 2025

For all the latest on Louisville football's offseason, stay tuned.