Jeff Brohm brings in a familiar face at QB by way of Purdue and California transfer Jack Plummer. Breaking down his film and what signing Plummer means for Louisville football.
It would seem that Louisville football fans finally have their answer of who will start at quarterback in 2023.
6th-year senior and former Purdue and Cal quarterback Jack Plummer recently committed to the Cards and looks to be the frontrunner to be the first starting quarterback in the Jeff Brohm era.
Many believed that Plummer’s commitment was a matter of “when” rather than “if” after he entered the transfer portal while Austin Reed decided to remain in Western Kentucky.
Even if expected, adding Plummer to the quarterback room is a big win and should be considered as such.
Let’s look at what Plummer could bring to the program both on and off the field:
What the film says:
In 2022, Plummer started all 12 games for the Golden Bears and put together his most impressive season as a college quarterback, amassing 3,095 yards, 21 touchdowns, and 9 interceptions with a 62.5% completion rate.
When I watched his film, I found his biggest strength to be his decisiveness and ability to get the ball out quickly. He has a quick release and though he took many sacks behind a struggling Cal offensive line, he did well to feel pressure and get the ball out to his receivers. Plummer also showcased consistent accuracy on all levels of the field – he looks sharp on short and intermediate throws and has nice touch on deep throws and fades. He manages the game well and doesn’t panic in the pocket. He has good size at 6’5 and 215lbs and he has all the requisite mental and physical tools to be a very effective pocket passer.
In terms of negatives, the largest area of weakness that hangs over his game is lack of mobility. While Plummer moves well within the pocket and can avoid rushers and occasionally extend plays with his legs, he is not a true run threat like the recent starting quarterbacks Cardinal fans have become accustomed to. Additionally, while he has good enough arm strength, I wouldn’t classify his arm talent as elite.
Occasionally, his throws over the middle lack velocity, which can lead to interceptions. Overall, Plummer has a very solid game and with an improved supporting cast at Louisville, it would not be unrealistic to expect his final year in college football to be his most productive.
What Plummer’s commitment means:
The immediate impact of Plummer’s commitment is clear: Louisville now has a starting-caliber quarterback for 2023 with experience in Brohm’s air raid offense.
Plummer is a seasoned veteran at the position who has played some of the nation’s toughest teams and has performed against a variety of defensive schemes. He had arguably his best career games against two top 10 ranked teams in USC and UCLA, where he passed for a combined 700 yards, 7 touchdowns, and 1 interception.
From purely an experience and talent standpoint, having a quarterback like Plummer ready to start day one of the Brohm era makes this roster instantly competitive in the ACC.
The value of adding an experienced veteran presence to a very young and talented quarterback room cannot be overstated. In the same way that Kyle Bolin was able to use his experience to help with Lamar Jackson’s understanding of the offense, Plummer will be able to become an instant leader and mentor for both Pierce Clarkson and Khalib Johnson.
Regardless of how long (or if, for that matter) Plummer starts for the Cards, his value goes far beyond what shows on the stat sheet. While he is a competent and proven starter who will undoubtedly allow for a more seamless transition into the Brohm-era offense, Plummer’s leadership is arguably his best attribute. It will greatly benefit the preparedness of the offense as a whole.
Louisville better get some talent on the receiving end. A Tutu Atwell type player who can stretch the field is key for the passing game to be successful. As of now Braden Smith isn’t that guy nor is Chris Bell.