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Louisville Recruiting Outlook: Defense

By Presley Meyer

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Louisville’s staff is remaining patient when it comes to recruiting defensive players for 2019.

The University of Louisville’s recruiting class for the next season is typically beginning to take form around this time each year. However, this year is notably different.

The Cards only lose 13 players to seniority in a class that will consist of many of the players that have played their entire careers under Petrino.

Defensively, Louisville loses 6 players:

DL Henry Famurewa

S Dee Smith

DE Gary McCrae

LB/ S London Iokopo

LB Isaac Stewart

CB Aaron Floyd

Of those players, 5 will likely start and/ or play serious minutes. However, the Cards have a decent amount of established depth at each position.

With the Cards only losing 5 serious contributors on defense after 2018, they have more of an opportunity to be picky with who they choose. Let’s take a look at some big name players who could fill the voids for UofL in 2019, and what we think is the likelihood of landing each player.

Defensive Line

JJ Weaver– Weaver has been an established name in the class, especially in the state of Kentucky. The borderline 4-star prospect is from Moore in Louisville, and the staff is determined to not let Weaver out of the city. This competition could come down to a Brohm vs. Petrino recruiting battle, as Purdue is high on his list as well. This is a huge recruitment to look out for going forward. UofL’s Chances: 70%

Shawnkel Knight-Goff– Knight-Goff is a hometown guy out of Doss in Louisville. Coach Mike Summers seems to have been on this guy from the beginning. The Cards’s biggest competition seems to be Kentucky, so this should be a fun one to watch! UofL’s Chances: 55%

Curtis Fann– The staff is in late on Fann. Brian VanGorder is playing a bit of catch up, only having been with UofL for a short time. That said, Fann visits campus at the end of May, and would likely compete to start right away for the cards. UofL’s Chances: 45%

Calijah Kancey– Kancey is out of Miami Northwestern, which is a familiar school to Louisville fans. It produced greats like Teddy Bridgewater, Michaelee Harris, and current freshman Tutu Atwell. Kancey took an unofficial visit to Louisville in late April, and the Cards sit in pretty good position with him going forward. UofL’s Chances: 45%

Malcolm Ray– Ray was a one-time Louisville pledge, but ultimately withdrew his commitment earlier this year. It looks like the staff is still in contact with Ray, but will probably proceed with caution. That said, this could be a situation where Ray never finds a better fit, and ultimately ends up with the Cards in the end. UofL’s Chances: 20%.

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Linebacker

At this point, I am not sold on Louisville’s chances with any high-profile LB’s in the class. The Cards may look to add depth at Linebacker as the summer goes on but, as mentioned previously, Louisville has more room in this class to be picky with players than they have in years past.

Derick Hall– If there’s one guy to possibly look out for in the class, Hall would be a home run commitment for the Cards. At this point, they are swimming upstream with the likes of Ole Miss, Auburn, FSU, and other big names. Louisville wants this guy, but until he schedules an official visit, their chances seem slim. UofL’s Chances: 5%.

Corner

EJ Jackson– Louisville is the leader for this consensus 3-star CB. Jackson is of the Jaire Alexander mold, in that he is around 6 feet, but quick and long. He could be flying a bit under the radar, as he doesn’t have a lot of offers from big names. However, the Cards will gladly take a guy like this, especially considering their troubles on the outside the last couple of years. UofL’s Chances: 85%

Adonis Otey– Aside from having a really cool name, Adonis Otey is also a beast on the field. Otey is a guy that could come in and play right away at UofL. Otey is considering the Cards along with Alabama and Oklahoma, among others. There is a long way to go, but if Louisville is going to land a stud, 4-star on defense this class, Otey could be it. UofL’s Chances: 30%

Safety

MJ Griffin– Louisville brought in a bruiser at safety in the 2017 class in Tresean Smith. Smith played considerable time last year, and I think Griffin brings the same attributed to the table. This fits the mold of a Louisville safety under Petrino, and I think Griffin could be the next in line when London Iokopo and Dee Smith exit in 2018. UofL’s Chances: 80%

AJ Hopkins– Louisville will compete with Mississippi State and Florida State, among others, for Hopkins’s services. Again, this is another tall player, with an excellent frame, and the propensity to lay the wood. The Cards would love to get Hopkins, but this decision could come down to the wire. UofL’s Chances: 55%

Overall, I don’t think Petrino and the rest of the staff are going to go all-in on any defensive players in the 2019 class unless they are a perfect fit. Typically, you lose quite a bit every year on defense. Going into the 2019-20 season, the Cards are going to be experienced, so they want to back load every position possible with young talent. In order to compete year-in and year-out with the Clemsons and FSUs of the world, the defense must improve going forward. That is exactly what they would do if they landed some of these elite players.

Next: Vegas Sets Louisville Win Total at 8

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