Louisville Football Recruiting Class 2017
Commitments: | 22 | ACC Rank: | 7 | National Rank: | 32 | ||||
Commitments | |||||||||
PLAYER | POS | HT | WT | SCHOOL | STATE | RANK | NAT | STATE | NOTES |
Kemari Averett | TE | 6-7 | 215 | Grady | GA | *** | Top 700 | Top 75 | Also capable of playing DE, but initially projected as TE; recorded five TDs as a junior, averaging nearly 18 yards a reception |
C.J. Avery | DB | 6-1 | 195 | Grenada | MS | **** | Top 250 | Top 10 | Became Louisville's highest-rated defensive prospect in 2017 class with his mid-December pledge; January enrollee who has opportunity for immediate playing time as true freshman in Louisville secondary |
Mekhi Becton | OL | 6-7 | 345 | Highland Springs | VA | *** | Top 425 | Top 20 | Huge late addition for U of L who gave the Cardinal coaches the good news with his letter of intent on National Signing Day; massive offensive line prospect who will have a chance to emerge at either left or right tackle for Louisville |
Cole Bentley | OL | 6-5 | 290 | Belfry | KY | *** | UR | Top 10 | Only in-state native of Kentucky currently pledged to the Cards; ACC rivals Virginia and Georgia Tech also offered scholarships |
Caleb Chandler | OL | 6-5 | 295 | Jefferson | GA | *** | Top 350 | Top 35 | Late target for Cardinals who emerged on U of L's radar after decommitments of Joey Palmer and Poutasi Poutasi; committed during mid-January official visit to Louisville; Cards beat out ACC rival Georgia Tech, among others |
Malik Clark | LB | 6-4 | 235 | Baldwin | GA | *** | UR | Top 200 | Committed shortly after attending “Lighting Up the Ville” camp and earning a scholarship offer from the U of L coaches |
Malik Cunningham | QB | 6-0 | 190 | Park Crossing | AL | *** | Top 675 | Top 35 | Contends that he’s solid to Louisville, but multiple schools continue to recruit him; prep teammate of U of L freshman P.J. Blue |
Dorian Etheridge | LB | 6-3 | 210 | Capital | WV | *** | Top 925 | Top 5 | Would be first West Virginia native to sign with U of L in well over a decade; projected as outside linebacker by U of L staff |
Mitch Hall | LS | 6-2 | 205 | Clayton | NC | ** | UR | Top 100 | Ranked the No. 2 long snapper in the country by Chris Sailer Kicking and Rubio Long Snapping; had multiple preferred walk-on offers from ACC schools including NC State, Florida State, and Miami, but received full scholarship from Louisville; selected to play in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl |
Anthony Johnson | DB | 6-2 | 180 | Chaminade-Madonna Prep | FL | *** | UR | Top 375 | Committed just prior to “Lighting Up The Ville” camp in mid-July; planning to major in Business at U of L; could play safety or cornerback |
Josh Johnson | WR | 5-11 | 175 | Woodward Academy | GA | *** | Top 725 | Top 75 | Louisville's fourth pledge this cycle from Georgia; made a strong showing at Notre Dame's "Irish Explosion" camp this summer |
Kam Jones | DE | 6-1 | 220 | Peachtree Ridge | GA | *** | UR | Top 125 | Primary target of U of L defensive coordinator (and former UGA coach) Todd Grantham; will likely play inside linebacker for Cards |
Justin Marshall | WR | 6-2 | 185 | Newton | GA | *** | Top 425 | Top 45 | Cards beat out Maryland and Tennessee for Marshall's services; sixth Georgia native to commit to Louisville in '17 class, and the third WR |
Rodney Owens | DB | 6-0 | 180 | Ensworth | TN | *** | Top 925 | Top 30 | Capable of challenging for immediate playing time at safety; could also emerge as a kickoff/punt returner for U of L |
Corey Reed | WR | 6-2 | 195 | Roswell | GA | *** | Top 525 | Top 55 | Among the top performers at Louisville's elite summer camp; produced 42 catches for 684 yards and six touchdowns as a prep junior |
Kaheem Roach | DB | 6-1 | 185 | Miramar | FL | *** | Top 1,525 | Top 250 | Versatile DB who could play either safety or cornerback in college; U of L emerged as team to beat after a June visit |
Ronald Rudd | OL | 6-7 | 305 | A.B. Miller | CA | *** | Top 35 (JUCO) | Top 10 (JUCO) | Committed to UCLA in late June, but switched to Louisville in mid-December; large offensive tackle prospect who should have an opportunity for immediate playing time at U of L in 2017 |
TreSean Smith | DB | 6-3 | 180 | LaSalle | OH | *** | UR | Top 50 | Recorded 47 tackles and 7 interceptions as a high school junior; cousin of former U of L running back Anthony Allen |
Jabreel Stephens | DE | 6-4 | 230 | Armwood | FL | *** | Top 1,050 | Top 150 | Received late April scholarship offer from Louisville, but flew under the radar somewhat until suddenly pledging the Cardinals Oct. 5. Recorded four sacks in Armwood's first five games his senior season. |
Lyndarious Strange | DB | 6-3 | 190 | North Florida Christian | FL | *** | UR | Top 150 | Versatile DB who could play nickel back or cornerback in college; committed after “Lighting Up the Ville” July recruiting event |
Colin Wilson | RB | 6-1 | 220 | Clay | FL | **** | Top 250 | Top 35 | Became Louisville's highest-ranked commitment upon his pledge on |
Russ Yeast | RB | 5-11 | 180 | Center Grove | IN | *** | Top 400 | Top 5 | Took four trips to Louisville between July and October, including his late October official visit that resulted in his commitment; projected cornerback for U of L |
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