Three Bold Predictions for Louisville Football in 2023
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The college football offseason might be in full swing, but we are actually just over 100 days away from Louisville taking the gridiron of Mercedes-Benz Stadium to face Georgia Tech in the annual Chick-Fil-A Kickoff Game.
There is still plenty that will unfold over summer workouts and fall camp, but with that being said, here are our three bold predictions regarding the Cardinals' upcoming 2023 season:
1. Jamari Thrash will break Louisville's single-season receiving record.
Just four years removed from Tutu Atwell setting the school record with 1,276 receiving yards in 2019, that record is already very much in jeopardy in 2023. Not only does new head coach Jeff Brohm run a pass-heavy offense, it's one that very much has a "feed the studs" mentality. He not only produced a 1,000-yard receiver in four of his six seasons at Purdue - save for his first season in 2017 and the shortened COVID year - but in three of those seasons his leading receiver logged more than 1,250 yards. If anyone will benefit from this approach, it's Jamari Thrash. He's coming off of a season at Georgia State where he logged 61 receptions for 1,112 yards and seven touchdowns, and his blazing speed was on full display at points during the spring. Other guys like Ahmari Huggins-Bruce, Kevin Coleman Jr. and Jadon Thompson are sure to get involved, but Thrash is the clear WR1 next season, and has the track record of production and explosiveness to potentially break the record.
2. Louisville will lead the ACC in interceptions.
Last season, the Louisville defense established themselves as one of the most disruptive in the nation thanks primarily to an incredibly dominant front seven. In 2023, that side of the line of scrimmage has a chance to be just as dominant due to their deep secondary, even after losing All-ACC corner Kei'Trel Clark. At cornerback, they bring back Jarvis Brownlee Jr. and Quincy Riley, who combined for five interceptions and 14 pass breakups, while brining in All-ACC corner Storm Duck from UNC. On the back end at safety, M.J. Griffin was a key factor in the turnaround last season, Josh Minkins can be an impact playmaker when healthy, and the depth was bolstered tremendously with transfers Devin Neal and Cam'Ron Kelly. Not to mention guys there are several others in the secondary who can contribute. In 2022, Louisville was the runner-up in the ACC with 15 interceptions, second only to NC State's 19. The roster as it currently stands for Louisville combined for 15 picks last season at the D1 level, whether it was done at UofL or at their previous school. While many are excited for what the Cardinals' offense can do in 2023, their defense - specifically the secondary - has the potential to be just as good.
3. The Cardinals will make it to their first ACC Championship Game.
Not only does Louisville have a talent-laden team for the first year of the Jeff Brohm era, their schedule - as has been documented multiple times - is one of, if not the, friendliest ones in the ACC. They play seven home games with only three true road games, and have a very real chance of opening the season at 4-0 with matchups against Georgia Tech, Murray State, Indiana and Boston College right out of the gate. The biggest boost is that they avoid having to play the top three teams in the league in Clemson, Florida State and North Carolina. Their games at NC State, Pitt and Miami will be difficult, but their five other league games - four of which are at home - are very manageable. With the coaching acumen that Brohm brings, coupled with the playmakers that the Cardinals have all over the field, they have a very high ceiling in 2023, and getting to Charlotte, N.C. is not completely unrealistic. Now, winning the ACC Championship is another thing, as they would likely have to face Clemson, FSU or UNC, but making the title game is very much on the table.
(Photo of Jeff Brohm: Jared Anderson - Louisville Report)
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