Louisville football: Cards take break from defense, add star receiver

Louisville football lands commit no. 17.

Can you feel that? That’s the heat coming from the Louisville football staff as they kept their insane run on commitments going on Monday, pushing the total number to 17 with nearly six more months to go until the early signing period commences.

Three-star receiver Demetrius Cannon took to Twitter to announce his intentions to shut down his recruitment and make his commitment to the University of Louisville official. He’s the first receiver in the class of 2021 and following a run on defensive players and linemen, he joins running back Trevion Cooley as the only other skill position player to commit.

This is a huge deal for the future of Louisville’s offense as Cannon is one of the top receivers in the Midwest, playing his high school football for Trinity Catholic in St. Louis, MO. 247 Sports ranks him as the 508th best player in the country, the 82nd best receiver, and the seventh-best player out of the state of Missouri.

https://twitter.com/ys_meechie2x/status/1275156697556889604?s=21

Demetrius Cannon adds size to Louisville football’s existing speed

Cannon brings great size and power to the outside of the field for receivers coach Gunter Brewer and is great both over the middle of the field as well as along the sideline. While raw as a route runner, you can see the god-given gifts of Cannon when you put his highlight tape on, as he shows so much potential as a playmaker vertically as well as in set situations like the red zone.

You see a mix of DeVante Parker and Jaylen Smith in Cannon thanks to the ability to pinpoint balls over opposing corners showing his impressive vertical leaping and circus catching while going up to get them. Quarterbacks love guys who can get up in the air and grab passes away from the defense as it makes them have to worry less about being pinpoint accurate.

While Cannon doesn’t have the “elite” speed you’d expect when talking about the Satterfield, what he lacks for in top-end quickness he makes up for with his ability to overpower cornerbacks and his long strides that help him outrun others.

Allen Trieu of 247 Sports describes Cannon as:

"“Great size. Built like a linebacker. Thicker, muscular build and has arm length. Has really worked on his craft and improved on areas that did not necessarily come natural to him. Can use his size and strength to catch contested passes. Great option in the red-zone. Has improved ball tracking and catching away from his body. Shows more after the catch as well. Suddenness is above average for a player at his size. Still not a speed demon, but coupled with his size, his straight line ability is more than adequate. Must continue the trajectory he has been on as far as craft. Also has to guard against out-growing the position. Projects as a true outside receiver and floor is that of a possession guy and red-zone weapon at the Power 5 level.”"

Cannon chose the Cards over multiple other Big Ten and SEC programs including Arkansas, Penn State, Kentucky, Illinois, Missouri, and West Virginia and all without ever visiting the Louisville campus.

The new staff’s ability to thrive during this time of uncertainty is all stems from being connected and one as a family. Cannon hinted on Twitter multiple times throughout his recruitment that he wanted to go somewhere that he knew he’d be cared for and apart of something special and it looks like he found that.

It’s easy to get worked up in the heat of the moment, but Cardinal fans, I think we’re talking about a Louisville star in the making.