🔥 This Week’s Highlights:

A big week for Cardinal Nation — from MLB draft day triumphs to football scheduling revelations and international gold medal moments. Here’s what’s inside:

🔴 MLB Draft Day Glory — Forbes goes first round, five other Cards selected

🏈 Football Payouts & Power Moves — 2025 nonconference game details revealed

🥇 Gold in Berlin — Cards help USA and South Africa shine at the World University Games

📝 New CB in Town — Transfer Nigel Williams signs with the Cards

Let’s go. 👇

⚾️ Forbes Tops List of Cards Drafted to MLB Teams

Patrick Forbes, the hard-throwing righty from Bowling Green, was selected No. 19 overall by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the first round of the 2025 MLB Draft — becoming Louisville’s highest pick since Henry Davis went No. 1 in 2021.

Forbes, dubbed a “future superstar” by head coach Dan McDonnell, struck out 117 in just 71.1 innings this season, leading the ACC in strikeouts per nine innings. His fastball touched 100 mph and his slider has drawn high praise from pro scouts.

Louisville had five more players taken in this year’s draft:

• Jake Munroe (4th Rd, Pick 109 – Angels)

• Matt Klein (6th Rd, Pick 167 – Rockies)

• Tucker Biven (13th Rd, Pick 381 – Nationals)

• Eddie King Jr. (16th Rd, Pick 473 – Pirates)

• Justin West (18th Rd, Pick 554 – Yankees)

McDonnell now boasts 111 MLB draft selections across 19 seasons.

Louisville Football’s Nonconference Payouts Revealed

Louisville will shell out a total of $2.75 million to Eastern Kentucky, James Madison, and Bowling Green for their 2025 home matchups at L&N Stadium.

Here’s the nonconference financial breakdown:

• EKU – $550,000

• James Madison – $1,000,000

• Bowling Green – $1,200,000

The Cards kick off the season against EKU on Aug. 30, followed by JMU (Sept. 5) and Bowling Green (Sept. 20). The season wraps up with the Governor’s Cup vs. Kentucky on Nov. 29.

🥇Cards Strike Gold at World University Games

Louisville swimmers made their mark in Berlin, with Caroline Larsen and Julia Dennis helping Team USA win gold — and set a meet record — in the 400 Free Relay.

🥇 Caroline Larsen: Anchored the gold-winning prelims squad and split a blistering 54.16 in the final

🥇 Julia Dennis: Swam the second leg in both prelims and finals

🥇 Guy Brooks: Anchored South Africa’s relay to a fifth-place finish, with a personal best 47.95

Larsen and Ella Welch also reached the semifinals in the 50m butterfly, while Denis Petrashov (Kyrgyzstan) advanced to the 100m breaststroke finals.

🏈 Nigel Williams Joins Louisville Football

The Cards are adding depth and experience at cornerback with the signing of Nigel Williams, a transfer from New Mexico.

Williams started eight games in 2024, finishing fifth on the Lobos in tackles with 58, including a 12-tackle effort vs. Wyoming.

Before New Mexico, he spent four years at Northwestern, appearing in 14 games. The 5-11, 195-pound DB brings size, speed, and veteran presence to Louisville’s secondary heading into the fall.

📸 SNAPS AROUND CAMPUS

📬 That’s it for this week!

Until next time, Card Nation — whether it’s draft day, game day, or gold medal season, the Ville keeps winning.

Stay tuned. Stay loud. Stay Cardinal. ❤️🖤