Phil Steele selects two Cardinals as 2024 preseason All-Americans, six as All-ACC Select

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Less than three months into the 2024 college football season, the preseason watch list season is officially in full swing.

Phil Steele, a longtime college football expert, recently released his 2024 College Football Preview and had plenty of praise for a handful of Louisville players. Two Cardinals were named to Steele’s preseason All-ACC teams and six were named to his preseason All-ACC teams.

Defenseman Ashton Gillotte headlines the selection, earning a first-team All-American nod, while winger Caullin Lacy was selected as a fourth-team All-American.

Both Gillotte and Lacy were also named first-team All-ACC players, as was offensive guard Michael Gonzalez. Cornerback Quincy Riley was named to the second team, while linebacker TJ Quinn and backup Devin Neal were named to the third team.

Starting all 14 games last season, Gillotte recorded 14.5 tackles for loss, 11.0 sacks, three forced fumbles and 45.0 tackles overall. The 6-foot-3, 270-pound Star Edge led the ACC, finished eighth in the FBS and finished ninth on the single-season sacks list in Louisville history. His 58 quarterback hurries were good for ninth in the FBS, according to Pro Football Focus.

Lacy was one of the most prolific and explosive wide receivers in the entire college football league last season. The 6-foot-10, 180-pound transfer from South Alabama has caught 91 passes for 1,316 yards and seven touchdowns, while ranking fifth in FBS receptions and sixth in yardage. He took home First-Team All-Sun Belt honors for his efforts.

According to Pro Football Focus, Gonzalez was Louisville’s highest-rated pass blocker last season with a grade of 77.9 and was second to center Bryan Hudson in run blocking with a grade of 67.3. The 6-foot-8, 305-pound left guard has allowed just 14 pressures in 926 snaps in 14 starts.

Last season, Riley established himself as one of the ACC’s best defenders. The 6-foot-1, 185-pound defensive back finished the 2023 season with a team-best 11 pass breakups and second on the Cardinals in interceptions with three, tying the ACC lead with 14 passes defensed. However, although he also collected 49 tackles and 1.5 for a loss, he was only selected as Honorable Mention All-ACC.

Quinn had a huge breakout campaign in 2023. Starting all 14 games, the 6-foot-10, 230-pound center fielder collected a team-best 92 tackles while also recording 2.5 tackles for loss, a half sack, an interception and two pass deflections. earning him honorable mention All-ACC mention.

Neal was heavily relied on last season due to MJ Griffin’s injury, and he performed admirably for the Cardinals. Playing in all 14 games with 13 starts, the 6-foot-1, 210-pound safety led the team in interceptions with four and also recorded 74 tackles, including three for loss, six pass deflections and a fumble recovery. He earned third-team All-ACC honors.

(Ashton Gillotte photo: Scott Utterback – Courier Journal / USA)

You can follow the Louisville Report for future coverage, like us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram:

Facebook – @Louisville Report
Twitter – @UofLReport
Instagram – @louisville_report

You can also follow deputy editor Matthew McGavic at @Matt_McGavic on Twitter