Louisville football: So what next at quarterback in class of 2021?

Louisville football’s top target is now off the board.

A great lyricist once penned the words: “If at first you don’t succeed then dust yourself off and try again. Pick yourself up and try again. Try again,” and even in light of a commitment that didn’t go their way, Scott Satterfield and the Louisville football program are trying to heed that advice.

The Cards have been in the thick of things for multiple big-time quarterbacks thus far through the 2021 recruiting cycle, but there may not have been a target higher than Chayden Peery. Even with Tee Webb incoming as part of the 2020 class, Satterfield and company have been looking to find another player to add for the future.

On May 10th Peery announced his list of nine schools, which included the Cards, but told 247 Sports that he was hoping to take some trips before a final decision was made. Peery talked about the schools he hoped to visit, listing Louisville, Georgia Tech, and Vanderbilt before going on to say that he talked to UofL “more than anyone else.”

Just a little over two weeks later enough had changed for Peery to pull the trigger on a commitment to Georgia Tech and new head coach Jeff Collins, forcing the coaching staff to change directions.

As Dalton Pence wrote in part of his look at the quarterbacks on the board for Louisville, Peery was the top target and his game was a near-perfect fit at the quarterback spot. He wrote:

"“A three-year starter for Sierra Canyon high school, Peery reads defenses extremely well and is able to place the football wherever he wants with solid accuracy and effortless arm strength. His footwork and IQ will allow him to compete right away at the next level.Peery’s release is natural and he has a distinguished touch regardless if he’s throwing in the pocket or on the run. Perhaps the most impressive thing about him is that he doesn’t get rattled easily nor does he make many ill-advised decisions. He only threw one interception during his junior campaign. He’s shown he isn’t afraid to step up in the pocket and deliver a throw or check down to a route in the flat.”"

The remaining and new targets for Louisville football

While losing Peery will sting a little, there isn’t a shortage of options available for Satterfield and quarterback coach, Frank Ponce. While the California native was the top guy on the board, you could make the argument that Sheuder Sanders, the son of Deion Sanders, had recently gained some ground.

You can catch Episode 34 of the Big Red Louie Podcast below where the gang discusses the quarterback recruiting battle and the options on the board for the Cards. You can also catch it here on Apple Podcasts.

With Sanders now clearly planted at the top of the big board, the staff has recently dished out multiple new offers to highly touted players across the country; all dual-threat quarterbacks.

Offers were extended to three star’s T.J. Lewis, Lucas Coley, Justin Lamson, and Jaylen Henderson; all of whom could be great fits for the Cards. As we’ve seen with prospects all across the board over the last few seasons, Satterfield and the football staff have identified players who have really yet to be discovered on a national level and have gotten in early enough to build strong relationships.

Each quarterback that has recently received a Louisville offer comes with intrigue, although not all of them have seen their recruitments get to the point where they have numerous power five programs duking it out. While that might scare some fans, it shouldn’t as we’ve seen this model work already since the new staff took over in 2018.

Also read: Cards trending for familar name in the class of 2021

If you’re a person who judges talent based on offers Coley out of San Antonio, TX, has the best offer sheet with multiple power five’s in play including Washington State, Virginia Tech and Arkansas, and will likely be the highest-ranked player by the time things are all said and done. Coley is a very interesting prospect not only because of his talent but also his background having appeared in the Netflix show “Friday Night Tykes.” Coley talked to Rivals about his experience on the show, saying:

"“FNT was a great base for me as an athlete, but even more as a young competitor. Competing with the best little league teams in the country has definitely molded me to expect nothing but the best. My time on that show taught me to drown out all the noise and just grind.“Getting so much attention or hate as a kid taught me from a young age that people will always have something to say and regardless, who cares.”"

Coley is currently ranked as the 28th best dual-threat quarterback in the country according to 247 Sports and is a fringe top 700 player. After taking home MVP honors at a Rivals camp in Houston, the 6’1, 203-pound QB is about to see his recruitment and Louisville will look to get in the thick of things with others.

Even with a growing list of offers, Coley is ranked lower than Lamson of El Dorado Hills, CA and Jaylen Henderson of West Hills, CA, both of whom have seen their recruitments pick up steam. As we’ve seen before, Louisville has gotten involved before any other power five programs in an attempt to gain ground should they go that route.

Much like with Corley, both quarterbacks are dual-threat guys who have the ability to impact games with both their arm and their legs something we’ll get used to seeing in incoming quarterbacks. Another box checked by both quarterbacks is that they each hold offers from Ivy League schools, something Keith Wynne pointed out on the BRL Podcast when talking recruiting. This is a huge deal as the staff clearly values smarts and understanding of the game just as much as they do on the field talent.

Lamson showed not only his brains as a quarterback but also his ability to be game-changing quarterback after he stepped into the starting role last season at Oak Ridge High School where he threw for over 3,000 yards and 24 touchdowns passes, earning the  NorCal Offensive Player of the Year.  As we’ve noted for nearly every recruit this spring, not having the ability to get out and make visits as well as attend exposure camps has impacted the recruitment and interest level of Lamson from big schools, but that doesn’t mean the talent isn’t there.

The same can also be said for Henderson, another California product who has seen his recruitment take off recently. With the likes of San Diego State, Fresno State, Hawaii, and San Jose State pursuing him for some time, Louisville has recently gotten involved as has Washington State and Vanderbilt – likely signaling what’s ahead. It’s a great sign that pass-happy offenses have taken an interest in Henderson, showing there’s potential to develop into a high-level starting quarterback.

As a junior Henderson balled out for Chaminade, completing  60 percent of his passes while throwing for 2,664 yards with 20 touchdowns to just six interceptions. That wasn’t it. Using his legs, Henderson rushed for 767 and five more touchdowns.

Henderson talked to BarkBoard, 247 Sports’ Fresno State dedicated site, about his game and what colleges are telling they like. He said:

"“I think I keep a defense honest when they don’t account for my legs. If they stop the pass, I can take off and run. If they want to spy me and leave the pass open, I can beat them over the top as well. I feel I bring a lot of elements to the position.”"

We’ve seen how dangerous Micale Cunningham was when his arm became more dangerous than his legs. Opponents oftentimes thought they had him in a place for a loss or a sack, only to see him dance his way out of the pocket or make a nice read on an RPO keeper. That’s exactly what Henderson is capable of doing, all while showing traits that lead you to believe he can be a high-level passer.

Last but not least is TJ Lewis who ranks as the 44th best dual-threat QB by 247 Sports and the 103rd best player in the state of Georgia. Much like the others mentioned, Lewis does not have a great offer sheet but when you put on the highlights it’s clear to see that it won’t be too long before that changes.

Speed is the name of the game with Lewis who excels when able to get out of the pocket and make moves in the open field. Lewis is easily the rawest as a passer but could potentially have the most upside. He is a tremendous athlete with great speed for the quarterback position and with time under Frank Pocne to develop he could easily develop into a Cunningham type player.

The quarterback position doesn’t hold nearly the importance in the class of 2021 as it did in 2020 as Satterfield and company needed to land “their guy,” but that doesn’t mean landing a quarterback isn’t a priority.

Adding four new players to the board should allow for the Louisville football recruiting staff for flexibility while giving themselves multiple options should Sanders land elsewhere. All four players fit what the Cards like to do on offense, and while the offer lists may not be what you’d hope for, it’s obvious these guys have the talent you’d want.