With Louisville currently sporting a full class (25 members) for 2014, the Cards have already secured their first commitment for the class of 2015. Card Nation is enjoying the moment and the tremendous season at hand, but I cannot help but wonder what the future holds……especially with the first commitment for the Cardinals in the 2015 class happening to be a quarterback. Although it is bittersweet to think about life after Teddy the moment is inching closer and closer. Bridgewater is having such an amazing season that it is inevitable that he will be playing for whichever team “Tanks” the hardest for him next season.
All jokes aside, Card Fans wish Teddy and his family the best of luck as we all believe he will be able to achieve so much both on and off the field in the NFL. As Louisville looks forward to ACC play there will be a new quarterback at the helm for the Cards. Louisville will enter their inaugural ACC season with (RS) Sophomore Will Gardner as the most likely successor to Bridgewater as he is the current number two QB and has shown a solid grasp of the offense in clean up time. The sample size is low and the pressure is even lower, but so far Gardner has shown command when given the chance. Louisville will also have (RS) FR. Kyle Bolin, and current 2014 QB commit Reggie Bonnafon who will likely redshirt with the amount of depth that will be present next season, in addition to Junior College transfer Brett Nelson.
In 2015, Louisville’s second season in the ACC, the QB situation will become a bit more crowded as the Cards are currently set to welcome Olive Branch standout signal caller Ross Trail. Trail, like many of the other QB’s on Louisville’s current roster, has the athleticism to use his mobility as a weapon but is closer to the mold of a pure pocket passer. Last season Trail attended high school in Arkansas, but transferred to Olive Branch in order to play at a much higher level. I believe this is what has put somewhat of a damper in his recruitment by a lot of other programs as his only other current offer is from Memphis. Like many Louisville fans, I rarely question the judgment of Strong and staff when it comes to evaluating talent. As the saying goes “If he is good enough for Charlie, he is good enough for me.” I believe that Trail’s offer sheet will grow as he proves that he can produce at a higher level of competition in Mississippi, and eventually the next level. I believe the Cards got a steal in Trail, although time will tell.
An over abundance of competition is always a healthy thing in my opinion; it allows the other players to push each other and not become comfortable or set in their ways. I believe that 2015 and 2016 will be the deepest Louisville’s roster position will be at the quarterback position for a long time.
Another variable to throw into the equation is the loss of offensive coordinator Shawn Watson. This situation, much like losing Bridgewater is a question of if, not when. Watson a once highly regarded OC for Nebraska has control yet again of a high powered offense that is known for executing efficiently and effectively, no matter the level of competition. I believe that Watson will get his shot to lead a team of his own……possibly even before the Cards play a down in the ACC. This of course will lead to the hire of a new offensive coordinator and possibly a new scheme. So then comes the possibility of a player leapfrogging the guy ahead of him on the depth chart, or could make one of the current QB’s on the roster a better fit than the next for the new system.
While these scenarios, whether inevitable or hypothetical, are glimpses into a time that has yet to arrive. The addition of the newest quarterback in the class of 2015 can only leave the mind to consider what lies ahead for the Cardinals.
Matt Vories
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