This offseason, Louisville Cardinals head coach Jeff Brohm enlisted experienced quarterback Tyler Shough to lead the offense. While it appears that he has secured the starting position, there is a competitive battle emerging for the backup role.
Currently, Brohm has indicated that Pierce Clarkson is the frontrunner for the backup quarterback position. However, he stressed that the competition remains open and the situation could change.
“I wouldn’t say it’s set in stone,” remarked Jeff Brohm. “At present, Pierce Clarkson looks to be the next in line. However, Harrison Bailey and Brady Allen are also strong contenders. The competition for both backup and starting positions will continue.”
In 2024, Tyler Shough will embark on his first season at Louisville, having previously played for Oregon and Texas Tech. He has also been part of the college football scene for a while, joining Oregon as a highly-rated four-star recruit in 2018, as indicated by the On3 Industry Ranking. However, he has been plagued by injuries and has not managed to play more than seven games in a single season.
“Currently, Tyler Shough has demonstrated his capabilities as a seasoned and skilled quarterback, and we are impressed with what we’ve seen from him. The other quarterbacks are also in contention. Competition will always be present. At times, we assess and identify the unique strengths of each player, and we may prepare specific packages for every game to have those options ready to deploy. We are not hesitant to take that approach. Therefore, it wouldn’t be surprising if we have tailored strategies ready for different quarterbacks this season. Additionally, in the unfortunate event of an injury to the starter, the next player must be prepared to step in and secure the win. Thus, it’s crucial to continuously develop and enhance the abilities of all quarterbacks,” Brohm expressed.
“It’s crucial to be fully prepared when you’re called into the game. Sometimes, entering the game too early can impact your confidence going forward. However, the present is the time for them to be prepared to enter the game at any moment, and they must be ready. I believe they have all made progress, they demonstrate strong dedication to studying and working hard, and the quarterback group needs to be prepared for game time. As I mentioned, we should be able to make use of all those quarterbacks at any given time.”
Pierce Clarkson, a redshirt freshman, joined Louisville as a highly-regarded four-star recruit in 2023. In 2023, he attempted two passes.
“The quarterback position is unique. To perform at a high level, you need to be exceptionally skilled, experienced, sharp, and capable of making crucial plays, especially in pressure situations and scoring opportunities,” stated Brohm. “Currently, I see Pierce Clarkson making consistent progress and improvement. It’s important to expose him to as many in-game situations as possible, where he faces pressure and needs to adapt and make plays on the go. We’ve been doing reasonably well in that regard, but he needs to continue excelling in those aspects.”
Harrison Bailey, much like Tyler Shough, is a seasoned transfer from the 2020 cycle, having played for Tennessee and UNLV. On the other hand, Brady Allen is a highly-rated four-star recruit from the 2022 cycle who initially joined Jeff Brohm at Purdue before following him to Louisville.
“Harrison Bailey is a transfer we brought in, and he has demonstrated great potential. In the spring game, I didn’t give him enough chances to throw down the field, which was my mistake, but he has performed well in spring and summer. I believe he can effectively lead our offense if given the opportunity. While he may not be the most mobile quarterback, he possesses strong passing abilities and a solid grasp of our system. As for Brady Allen, we’ve been working with him across a couple of locations, and he continues to show improvement. His focus should be on playing with fluidity, natural athleticism, and enhancing his overall agility, as he already exhibits a high football IQ and a strong understanding of our strategies. Currently, the quarterback position holds significant importance for us.”
That’s the current situation for Jeff Brohm and Louisville. However, he also stressed that all quarterbacks will have the chance to compete, and there is room for the situation to evolve.
“At some stage, all of them will have the opportunity to play. If they demonstrate to us that they are ready to play now, we are open to utilizing multiple packages where two or even three quarterbacks could see action. Last year, there was a time when 10 quarterbacks played, although we probably won’t have that many this year. These guys have put in a lot of effort, and it’s difficult for them to sit back without getting game experience and feeling completely confident, even though they all have confidence in their abilities,” Brohm explained.
“We just need to ensure that they continue to gain experience, but I believe that once we put them in, they will be prepared and perform well.”
