J.D. PicKell of On3 stirred the pot with a striking statement on his podcast, “The Hard Count,” calling Louisville head coach Jeff Brohm the “ACC Lane Kiffin” for his savvy use of the transfer portal and consistent success with quarterbacks.
Jeff Brohm’s Proven Success Developing Transfer Quarterbacks
PicKell pointed to Brohm’s track record.
“Plummer and Shough both had their best seasons of their college career under Brohm, and both threw for over 3,000 yards,” PicKell said, suggesting that if new quarterback Miller Moss follows suit in 2025. “Louisville’s going to be a shakeup team in the ACC.”
This bold claim has set the stage for a season of high expectations, as Brohm’s Cardinals prepare to face a gauntlet of top-tier opponents and potentially reshape the conference landscape.
His approach has drawn attention for its similarities to Kiffin, a coach known for turning transfer portal hauls into immediate success at Ole Miss. With Moss, a former USC quarterback, now at the helm, Louisville Fans are eager to see if another breakout season is on the horizon.
The Cardinals’ 2025 schedule, featuring clashes with Clemson, Miami, and SMU, only heightens the stakes. PicKell highlighted this challenge.
“They play three of the top four odds to win the conference,” PicKell said.
Success against these teams could cement his reputation and elevate Louisville into the ACC’s elite.
Brohm has built a reputation as a quarterback guru, particularly with players who arrive via the transfer portal. Since returning to his alma mater in 2023, he has transformed Louisville’s offense by turning quarterbacks with untapped potential into stars. This trend started with Jack Plummer, who transferred from Cal and Purdue.
In his lone season under Brohm in 2023, Plummer threw for 3,204 yards and 21 touchdowns, a significant leap from his prior best of 2,644 yards at Purdue in 2021.
The following year, Tyler Shough, a veteran transfer from Texas Tech, took the reins and delivered 3,305 yards and 23 touchdowns in 2024, far surpassing his previous career highs.
Now, Moss steps into the spotlight for 2025. Moss, who spent three years at USC, showed flashes of brilliance in 2023, throwing for 372 yards and six touchdowns in the Holiday Bowl against Louisville, ironically enough. However, he lost the starting job to Jayden Maiava in 2024 and entered the portal seeking a fresh start.
At 6’1” and 205 pounds, Moss brings a quick release and solid decision-making, traits that align perfectly with Brohm’s up-tempo, pass-heavy system. If Brohm can unlock Moss’s potential as he did with Plummer and Shough, Louisville’s offense could again rank among the ACC’s best.
Louisville’s Tough 2025 Schedule Against ACC Powerhouses
The 2025 season will test Louisville’s mettle like never before, with a schedule stacked with ACC heavyweights. Three games stand out as defining moments: Clemson, Miami, and SMU, all among the top contenders for the conference crown.
These matchups will determine whether Louisville can rise from a competitive program to a legitimate title threat.
Clemson remains the gold standard in the ACC, having won eight of the last 10 conference championships. Louisville stunned the Tigers in Death Valley in 2024, a 33-21 upset that showcased Brohm’s ability to compete with the best.
In 2025, the rematch shifts to Louisville’s Cardinal Stadium, where a raucous home crowd could play a factor. Clemson’s offense, led by quarterback Cade Klubnik, will challenge Louisville’s secondary, but the Cardinals’ experience against elite competition gives them a fighting chance.
Next up is Miami, a team on the rise after a strong 2024 campaign. Scheduled for a Friday night in Coral Gables, this game carries an air of unpredictability. Miami’s high-powered offense, anchored by a stout offensive line and dynamic skill players, will test Louisville’s defense, which struggled at times against mobile quarterbacks last season.
The SMU matchup rounds out this trio of pivotal games. In 2024, SMU edged Louisville 34-27 in a back-and-forth affair, proving the Mustangs’ playoff-caliber talent. In their second year in the ACC, SMU returns a seasoned roster and a defense that ranked among the league’s stingiest.
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Louisville’s offense, likely powered by Moss’s arm, will need to exploit SMU’s secondary to flip the script. Playing at home could tip the scales, but this game promises to be a tight contest.
With Moss under center and a schedule that pits Louisville against the ACC’s best, the opportunity to validate PicKell’s bold claim is within reach. Success won’t come easily, but Brohm’s track record suggests he’s up to the task. The Cardinals have the pieces, portal talent, a creative offensive mind, and a hungry fan base to make waves.
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