Louisville football: Five must-have defensive recruits in 2021

Christopher Paul Jr. – ILB

6’1, 235-pounds – Cordele, GA

National ranking: 712

Position ranking: 30

I wrote about the biggest position of needs for Louisville football a few weeks back, and as I said in that piece it all starts at the linebacker position, specifically inside.

The staff has done an incredible job of recruiting thus far in the 2021 class, specifically on the defensive side of the ball. Their biggest commitment to date actually comes from four-star outside linebacker, Jaraye Williams, who should play in the CARD role when he arrives at Louisville. Outside of him, however, there haven’t been any “traditional” linebackers to chose the Cards; yet.

That could change rather quickly and I wouldn’t be surprised if one of the next players to pull the trigger is Christopher Paul Jr., who is coming off of a decision to back away from his prior commitment to Nebraska. Ranked as the 30th best inside linebacker in the class, Paul Jr. is a game-changer thanks to the combination of power and speed he brings to the table.

Now back on the open market, Louisville sits in a prime position to land another difference-maker for their rebuilt and new-look defense, but it won’t be easy. Since decommitting, Paul Jr. has heard from Louisville, Tennessee, and Cincinnati, and it’s widely expected that more schools will come calling as well.

So how do Louisville’s chances look? Paul Jr. talked with Louisville Report of Sports Illustrated, saying:

"“(Linebackers coach, Derek Nicholson) has been recruiting me VERY HARD. My relationship with them is VERY GOOD. We talk about how they will use me and how they will develop me on and off the field. They run the same defensive scheme we run and that’s a plus because I can jump right in and just learn the lingo and catch on quickly to my assignment!”"

Louisville will have an immediate need at inside linebacker starting in 2021 as both Dorian Etheridge and CJ Avery will both exhaust their eligibility at the completion of the 2020 season leaving Monty Montgomery and Roberts Hicks (both of whom will be seniors) along with unproven redshirt freshman Dorian Jones. At 6’1, 235-pounds, Paul Jr. has the size and strength needed to play at the highest level of the ACC right away, and we’ve seen players have success inside right away for Louisville, including both Etheridge (way back in 2017) and Montgomery last season.

Holding off Tennessee is going to be a huge challenge as the allure of the SEC oftentimes can be hard to overcome, but when you look at the fit and need, there probably isn’t a place with more playing time available than Louisville.