Louisville football: Five must-have offensive recruits for 2021
By Jacob Lane
William Parker – OT
6’5, 325-pounds – Nashville, TN
National ranking: 404
Position ranking: 31
After taking six offensive linemen in the class of 2020 (five high school seniors, one graduate transfer) the group is nearly stocked up with the necessary depth the Louisville football staff coveted. Those numbers have allowed Scott Satterfield and offensive line coach, Dwayne Ledford, to be much pickier with who they take in the class of 2021.
Already on the board are rising three-star and local product, Zen Michalski, Aaron Gunn, and the most recent commitment, Michael Gonzalez, and it looks like there could be at least one or two more players added before it’s all said and done.
The top guy on the board for Louisville football is without question William Parker, a monster offensive lineman out of Nashville. At 6’5, 305-pounds, Parker has college-made size, and legitimately could be a starter wherever he lands right out of the gate.
Much like we’ve seen with other players on this list, Louisville is in the midst of a recruiting battle with the elite of the elite. Speaking with Volunteer Country of SI, Parker said “I am focusing on Florida, Kentucky, Bama, Tennessee, Georgia, and Louisville. Those are the schools that are prioritizing me and talking to me about life more than football.”
Some might say that one of those schools isn’t like the other, which to an extent may be true, but if you’ve been paying attention in the last year offensive linemen are watching Louisville like a server approaching a table with hot-food. Following a season in which Garrett Bradbury became a first-rounder at NC State, Ledford followed that up with developing star left tackle Mekhi Becton into a top 12 pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.
It’s not only the development abilities that players are attracted to. Ledford’s personality, desire for community, and fellowship with his players and the relationship he builds with each individual are what has made some of the nation’s top talent consider and ultimately pick Louisville.
Parker is in the same boat and with multiple high-level programs knocking on his door, the fact that Louisville is still hanging around strong is an indication that others see potential to get to the NFL under Ledford.
He spoke about why he likes Louisville, saying:
"“It is not that far, and it had a homey feel to it when I went on my unofficial. Louisville is a place that wins. They have had two tackles in the last few years selected high. Their quarterback and running back would be there if I come, so that is another big thing. They always do well in their conference, so that is why I like them a lot.”"
It seems like Tennesse is the team to beat right now for Parker, but don’t discount Louisville. The Cards already have what I believe could be one of the biggest under-the-radar commitments, from Michalski, and combined with Gunn and Gonzalez playing inside, landing Parker could give the Cards four long-term starters and NFL caliber prospects.
For other ACC schools, that’s a problem.