5-1: Louisville football countdown, top-20 players of 2025
Editor’s note: With less than two weeks until week one, Cardinal Sports will count down the top 20 most impactful players of the 2025 Louisville football season.
Rankings for Louisville football’s top-20 players will be based on previous achievements/stats, position importance, team needs, and season projections.
Previous top-20 rankings: 20-16, 15-11, 10-6
Now, here are the players ranked No. 5 through No. 1.
5.) Caullin Lacy, WR
5-10, 190 lbs, R-Sr
After deciding to redshirt the regular season, Lacy’s appearance in the Sun Bowl win over Washington reconfirmed his commitment to the program and the Louisville fanbase as a whole. He was electrifying. The South Alabama transfer caught three passes and added two touchdowns, one through the air and one on the ground. That’s what Louisville is getting in Lacy, who was as advertised in the games he played — an elite returner, good in the quick game, and can make plays downfield. Expect more of the same in his sixth and final college football season, as he’s built a strong chemistry with Miller Moss and is ready for a full, healthy season.
4.) Stanquan Clark, LB
6-3, 235 lbs, Jr.
The 2024 All-ACC Honorable Mention is perhaps one of the most unsung returning players on Louisville’s defense, yet he’s probably the best pro prospect on that side of the ball. Clark finished second on the team in tackles with 76 a season ago, and as a junior, he projects to have an outstanding season. He is our highest-rated defensive player on the top 20 list. A tackling machine, look for Clark to be all over. He very well could be the next pro Cardinal from South Beach.
3.) Chris Bell, WR
6-2, 220 lbs, Sr.
Bell has waited his turn to be the No. 1 wide receiver at Louisville. The Cards had to fend off several SEC schools to keep the physical wideout this offseason, and it’s a damn good thing they did. Bell has improved every season and had the best season of his career in 2024, snatching 43 passes for 737 yards and four touchdowns. Bell has a raw mix of speed and strength that excites a lot of professional scouts. The Greenville Christian (Ms.) product should hit the 1,000-yard mark as the Cards’ most dynamic receiver.
2.) Miller Moss, QB
6-2, 210 lbs, R-Sr.
You could throw this entire list in the garbage bin if USC transfer quarterback Miller Moss wasn’t in the top five. In terms of importance, there’s Moss, s few miles, and then everyone else. But, there are still a lot of question marks surrounding his play after being benched last season. And the good at USC was REALLY good. He threw for over 300 yards four times and led the Trojans to an upset win over LSU, completing 27-of-36 passes for 378 yards and one touchdown. Anyone who watched Moss last year would know that the supporting cast wasn’t nearly strong enough to be competitive in the Big Ten. The staff has been pleased with Moss during practice and fall camp.
1.) Isaac Brown, RB
5-9, 190 lbs, Soph.
The 2024 ACC Rookie and Offensive Rookie of the Year has a chance to solidify himself as one of the best running backs in the entire country. The defense’s game plan will be set to stop Brown this time around, but he’s surely in line for another 1,000+ yard season as an All-American candidate. The sophomore will be the gas for Louisville’s engine this season as most of what the Cardinals will try to do offensively will revolve around him — play fakes, etc. He’ll just have to meet the challenge.
