After Bridgewater’s 2012-2013 campaign, it is clear that he will be near the front of the Heisman race this upcoming season. Today, word came out that the University of Louisville football office will not be doing a Heisman campaign for Bridgewater, and the reason being because he said so.

This is the type of player that championship teams are built around. I am sure I can speak for all cards fans in saying that there is no other player we would rather have leading this team.

Last Week, Oklahoma State QB Wes Lunt announced his intention to transfer due to a logjam of players at his position. Today, a source close to the situation said that Lunt is considering Southern Miss, Illinois, Louisville, Tennessee, and Vanderbilt as possible transfer destinations.

Lunt was a 4-star coming out of high school and was the 7th best QB in the country according to Rivals. He started for the Cowboys last season as a freshman. Before being sidelined with a knee injury, Lunt threw for 1,108 yards, six touchdowns, and seven interceptions. The 6’5, 215 pound QB is from Rochester, Illinois, so one would think that the Illini may have a leg up on the competition. Despite this, the coaches of the other schools listed above, including Charlie Strong, did recruit Lunt before he committed to Oklahoma State, so they will have a chance at gaining his services as well. Lunt will have three years of eligibility left.

After suffering one of the worst injuries in all of sports, Kevin Ware quickly rose to fame, mainly due to the courageous attitude he displayed immediately after breaking his tibia and fibula. Dana O’Neil caught up with Ware to talk about his recovery as well as him attending the White House Correspondents’ Dinner.

About his recovery and mental outlook:

“I look at it all as motivation,” he said. “You can’t finish until you get started.’’

And so Ware is taking baby steps, literally and figuratively, on his right leg, which was brutally fractured during the Cardinals’ win over Duke in the Midwest Regional final on March 31. Just five weeks removed from surgery, he is riding a stationary bike and slowly increasing the amount of pressure and weight he can add to his right side.

Soon his scar should be healed, which will mean he can get to work even more, building up strength in his quad to help carry his leg.

This will be the diary of what he did on his summer vacation, a steady stream of constant rehab.

Ware finished up classes last week, and after hanging around town for the Kentucky Derby, he planned to head back home to Atlanta for a short visit and return immediately to Louisville. Once he’s in town, he and athletic trainer Fred Hina will spend lots of quality time together.

Strange as it sounds, Ware is lucky. As gruesome as his injury was, he didn’t tear any ligaments, which makes the road back much more straightforward.

So far, Ware’s mental outlook is good — “I feel like as long as I don’t see the video [replaying the injury], I’ll be fine,” he said — but he’s not kidding himself. Ask any athlete who has been through a long rehab and they will tell you that it is a lonely path, filled with frustrating steps backward and equally difficult plateaus.

On his attendance at the Correspondents’ Dinner:

He was stunned to get the ticket to the Correspondents’ Dinner, an event filled with media personalities, celebrities and, of course, the president.

Ware admits to being more than a little starstruck at the number of famous people he rubbed elbows with. Though he admits to being lousy with names and couldn’t remember everyone, he did say he got to meet U.S. Olympic gold medalist Gabby Douglas and Willie Robertson of “Duck Dynasty.”

Ware also was impressed, he said, with President Obama’s sense of humor — “I didn’t know he was that funny,” Ware said — but left Washington slightly mystified by the number of people who wanted to talk to him.

And more, who knew him.

“I met a lot of famous people, but they were all like, ‘We know you. We want to talk to you,’” Ware said. “I was like, really? That was crazy.’’

Closing:

“I didn’t know how popular I would become just because I broke my leg,’’ he said. “I always wanted to be someone that people would look up to, but I never thought it would happen because I broke my leg.’’

Of course, it’s more than that. The reaction is as much due to how Ware handled himself in the immediate seconds after the injury as it is the horrific injury itself. His strength and resolve to call his teammates over, coupled with the fact that Louisville went on to win the national title, is the sort of story people can wrap their arms around and appreciate.

But now comes the hard part. With no one watching and no one talking about him, it’s up to Ware.

“I’m stronger now,’’ he said. “I can do this.’’

On Monday, Bucky Brooks of the NFL Network released his list of the top 30 draft eligible college football prospects, and Louisville’s own Teddy Bridgewater came out on top in terms of NFL potential.

1) Teddy Bridgewater*, QB, Louisville: To observers not already familiar with the best pure passer in college football, the Sugar Bowl served as Bridgewater’s coming-out party. He displays elite arm strength, touch and accuracy, though he is most impressive as the unquestioned leader of the Cardinals.

Dan Kadar of SBNation also released his 2014 mock draft and once again Bridgewater finds himself at the top spot.

The immediate snap judgement about next year’s draft class is that it’s going to be better than this year’s. Of course, that’s what you’d expect an NFL Draft fanboy to say. Regardless, there was no Jadeveon Clowney or Teddy Bridgewater in the draft this year. Not even close.

1. Jacksonville Jaguars: Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Louisville

If the Jaguars happen to finish with the top pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, it means Blaine Gabbert was an utter failure. Undrafted free agents Matt Scott and Jordan Rodgers are nice stories, but Bridgewater looks like the next great quarterback prospect.

Those in the Louisville community have always known Bridgewater’s potential, but it seems that after his Sugar Bowl performance, the rest of the nation is starting to get the picture. Teddy Brigdewater is the real deal and could be leading an NFL franchise in the not-so-distant future.

As expected, great work from VillenHD on the highlights of arguably the best season in the history of Louisville basketball.

Dante Exum, a 6’6 guard out of Canberra, Australia, listed his leaders on Sunday at the Nike Hoops Summit. According to sources, Exum’s leaders are Indiana, Louisville, LSU, and St. Mary’s. NBA insider Chad Ford had good things to say about Exum’s draft potential down the road as well as Louisville’s chances to land him.

Exum is extremely long for his position, which adds to his versatility. He can blow by defenders as well as crash the boards and rebound well for a guard. Exum also has a very smooth stroke. The 6’6 guard is ranked 18th in the 2014 class by Rivals.

Rece Davis and Chris Spielman made the trip to Louisville and talked about Teddy Bridgewater and Charlie Strong’s recent and possible future success on the field.

Mitch McGary has been Michigan’s x-factor in there first fives games of the tournament. Can he lead his team to one more victory and a national championship? Louisville’s frontcourt of Dieng, Behanan, Harrell, and Van Treese will surely do their best of preventing him from doing so.

McGary has averaged 16 points and 11.6 rebounds in the tournament. Even though he did not put up a lot of points like he did against Kansas, McGary’s most impressive performance came against Syracuse in the Final Four. McGary showcased his versatility, having a statline of 10 points, 12 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 blocks. The Michigan big man’s relentless effort and speed has been the difference these past five games. Despite being a good 3 inches shorter these Kansas’s Jeff Withey, McGary was able to use his quickness to get to the basket despite Withey’s imposing presence.

Dieng will have to use his length and timing with his blocks better than Withey did if he wants to keep McGary in check. Do not be surprised if Harrell matches up against McGary for most of the game. With his huge wingspan, Harrell does not lack blocking ability, but he also has the quickness that Dieng does not.

The bottom line is that one could argue that McGary has been the most valuable player in the tournament so far, and he should not be taken lightly. Louisville’s front court will have to be on their A game to be able to shut McGary down.

Louisville’s own Bob Valvano gave the perfect summation of the emotions that were being felt by the Louisville basketball team last night when Kevin Ware went down with one of the most gruesome injuries ever seen in any sport.

Okay violating my self imposed Facebook abstinence here just one time before June 1, but I hope you will understand…
Today was that exceptional…

I have broadcast games for 17 years, 12 on radio with Paul Rogers for the University of Louisville games. Only one other time, of a much more personal nature, was I moved to tears on the air. In Albuquerque  the same site as my brother Jim’s national championship, Louisville came from 20 points down in an Elite Eight game to go to Rick Pitino’s first Final Four with the Cards. For various reasons, including a tremendously generous gesture by then assistant coach Kevin Willard, I was so moved…but that was more personal…

Today, Kevin Ware suffered one of the most gruesome injuries you’ll see on basketball court, or anywhere. In the first half, he jumped to challenge a shot, simply landed wrong and his leg was grotesquely broken and twisted.
What followed was unlike anything I have seen at a game, coaching or broadcasting. Louisville players began crying on the court; a few vomited at the sight, as the injury was right in front of the bench. Duke players and Coach K were obviously moved as well…
Making it more surreal was how it happened. No one could see from the outer reaches of this vast arena what exactly occurred. Even our viewpoint, courtside right opposite Louisville’s bench was difficult to see, but players on the court, who could see it in detail, started dropping to the court. Paul and I thought there might have been a collision we missed. A few broadcasters in the further points actually thought someone took a shot at the players; in this day of terrorism that may be sad, but not illogical.
Three players dropped to the court. Peyton Siva dropped to a knee to pray…clearly not business as usual…

As the time stretched on, it became apparent the injury was awful. In today’s instant media,pictures were quickly transmitted. The players looked stunned, sad, bewildered…
Kevin Ware asked his teammates to gather around before going off on a stretcher and told them, “I will be fine. Now go out and win this game…” which only added to the emotional impact…

What transpired after halftime was almost overwhelming to witness. The emotion etched on the players’ faces was unlike any I had ever seen at a game. I can’t even describe it, truly…pain over their friend, effort to refocus on the game, determination to win, in many ways for Kevin Ware.
It seemed like little happened to make people forget the injury. As Louisville improbably pulled away to a 22 point win, the crowd started chanting “Ke-Vin, Ke-Vin…” The game ended without the Cards cutting the nets down, and Rick Pitino urging the crowd to honor Kevin by chanting again as he stood on the podium.

There was a play very late with the game essentially over, where Luke Hancock–who started the year so bumpily and was the subject of fans’ wrath– taking a leadership role, waving everyone away so he could create a shot for walk on Tim Henderson, who proceeded to nail a three point shot, and receive an exuberant hug from the normally stoic Hancock.
All game we saw that emotion from players who rarely show it. It is one of the times sitting courtside gives a vantage point I am not sure TV could capture…although I know many simply watching at home were moved to tears…

And so my broadcast partner was moved to tears as well…and I was unable to do much to help him…overwhelming…

It was incredible…and I thought about why? Players get hurt all the time…why was this so emotional?

Of course it was gruesome. That is undeniably a big part. But to watch the unique bond that is a team, and how much pain these kids had to play through, and how they rallied together…AND rallied to play for their fallen teammate…again, overwhelming…

I was moved at the emotion by the Duke players and coaches as well.That was a reminder again how blessed you are when the outcome of a game can be so important to you. It IS important; that’s fine, but in moments like that you realize how fleeting it all can be and how it can all go away. Even young bullet proof players at that moment can’t help but be reminded, “There but for the grace of God go I”…

It makes anyone watching feel the same about their own lives. How fragile it all can be; you must embrace the moments, pull those dear to you near, and don’t waste the time you have with them…it all can go away so fast…

Yes, all that from basketball game. So I was very moved, and know I wasn’t alone…

After the game I got a hug from Russ Smith who was devastated at the injury. I got to share a moment with Gorgei Dieng and Peyton Siva, emotional and spiritual leaders in many ways on this team. It is different, a bit subdued, but they are happy and proud, and maybe in many ways, more meaningful than just a usual post game congratulations…

I wander around for a bit, pass a closed training room and hear what sounds like a player laughing hysterically. I ask, “Is that someone laughing?”. Somber subdued voices tell me, no those sounds are from one of the players crying, wailing, the sounds now gut wrenching as I realize what the reality actually is…

i won’t mention the player’s name, as i am not interested in violating his privacy, but i am reminded again…they’re people, not X’s and O’s,and in so many meaningful ways, just kids at that.

Every once in a while the game transcends the sport, and the sport transcends itself, sending life lessons and creating human drama of the highest order.

Today was one of those days, and I was humbled to try and help Paul find the words to describe it on radio.
That’s probably impossible, when you are asked to describe some things you’ve never seen before.

But I will never forget having the opportunity today, to try…

It is hard to imagine the emotions the players and staff felt tonight. For the players, Ware is like a brother; and for the staff, especially Rick Pitino, he is like a son. Ware had been through a lot this season, going from suspension to redemption, and to see a guy, who had finally had things start to go his way, have all that taken away from him is tough for anyone to stomach, whether you are a fan, spectator, coach, or player. And for Ware to only think of his team and their overall end goal; this shows us a whole new level of selflessness and camaraderie.  What is clear now is that the Louisville players have a deeper and more immense reason to play their hearts out for these last two games.

Rick Pitino appeared on ESPN’s “Mike & Mike in The Morning” Thursday morning and talked about everything from deflections to Digger Phelps’s incompetence.

On Deflections:

“For us, it really does measure everything about it. From steals, deflections, tips, block shots, and recovery, those five areas, for us, it bears out. If we get eight at half time, which occurs every now and then, we’re usually down anywhere from eight to twelve points. If we’re close to twenty, we’re usually up eight to twelve points. “

On Oregon:

“I’ve never seen a team all year take Saint Louis out of the game like Oregon did. They beat Saint Louis by 20, which didn’t happen the whole year. They’re really, really impressive right now in what they’re doing.”

“We’ll be ready for them, but our respect level for them–I pay no attention to seeds. If you look at their talent level, if you look at the way they’re coached, they’re probably a three or four seed.”

On Digger Phelps:

“Digger has been picking against Louisville since day one. You have to understand, I was joking when I said it, but Digger has buried more brackets than any person ever on television. He is the undertaker. He just buries people constantly with his opinion, so I had to give it back to him a little bit because he’s always picking against Louisville.”

You can listen to the interview in its entirety here.