Louisville Football Recruiting Class 2017

Louisville Football Recruiting Class 2017

Commitments:22ACC Rank:7 National Rank:32
Commitments
PLAYERPOSHTWTSCHOOLSTATERANKNATSTATENOTES
Kemari AverettTE6-7215GradyGA***Top 700Top 75Also capable of playing DE, but initially projected as TE; recorded five TDs as a junior, averaging nearly 18 yards a reception
C.J. AveryDB6-1195GrenadaMS****Top 250Top 10Became 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 BectonOL6-7345Highland SpringsVA***Top 425Top 20Huge 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 BentleyOL6-5290BelfryKY***URTop 10Only in-state native of Kentucky currently pledged to the Cards; ACC rivals Virginia and Georgia Tech also offered scholarships
Caleb ChandlerOL6-5295JeffersonGA***Top 350Top 35Late 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 ClarkLB6-4235BaldwinGA***URTop 200Committed shortly after attending “Lighting Up the Ville” camp and earning a scholarship offer from the U of L coaches
Malik CunninghamQB6-0190Park CrossingAL***Top 675Top 35Contends that he’s solid to Louisville, but multiple schools continue to recruit him; prep teammate of U of L freshman P.J. Blue
Dorian EtheridgeLB6-3210CapitalWV***Top 925Top 5Would 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 HallLS6-2205ClaytonNC**URTop 100Ranked 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 JohnsonDB6-2180Chaminade-Madonna PrepFL***URTop 375Committed 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 JohnsonWR5-11175Woodward AcademyGA***Top 725Top 75Louisville's fourth pledge this cycle from Georgia; made a strong showing at Notre Dame's "Irish Explosion" camp this summer
Kam JonesDE6-1220Peachtree RidgeGA***URTop 125Primary target of U of L defensive coordinator (and former UGA coach) Todd Grantham; will likely play inside linebacker for Cards
Justin MarshallWR6-2185NewtonGA***Top 425Top 45Cards beat out Maryland and Tennessee for Marshall's services; sixth Georgia native to commit to Louisville in '17 class, and the third WR
Rodney OwensDB6-0180EnsworthTN***Top 925Top 30Capable of challenging for immediate playing time at safety; could also emerge as a kickoff/punt returner for U of L
Corey ReedWR6-2195RoswellGA***Top 525Top 55Among the top performers at Louisville's elite summer camp; produced 42 catches for 684 yards and six touchdowns as a prep junior
Kaheem RoachDB6-1185MiramarFL***Top 1,525Top 250Versatile DB who could play either safety or cornerback in college; U of L emerged as team to beat after a June visit
Ronald RuddOL6-7305A.B. MillerCA***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 SmithDB6-3180LaSalleOH***URTop 50Recorded 47 tackles and 7 interceptions as a high school junior; cousin of former U of L running back Anthony Allen
Jabreel StephensDE6-4230ArmwoodFL***Top 1,050 Top 150Received 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 StrangeDB6-3190North Florida ChristianFL***URTop 150Versatile DB who could play nickel back or cornerback in college; committed after “Lighting Up the Ville” July recruiting event
Colin WilsonRB6-1220ClayFL**** Top 250Top 35Became Louisville's highest-ranked commitment upon his pledge on
Russ YeastRB5-11180Center GroveIN***Top 400Top 5Took 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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