Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports
The Louisville Cardinals are quietly on a roll right now in college football recruiting, and they’re doing it the same way they always have under coach Charlie Strong, by focusing on prospects from the deep south. On Tuesday, coach Strong received a verbal commitment from offensive tackle Kavaris Harkless, his fourth commitment in the last four days.
With the addition of Harkless (Jacksonville,FL), the Cardinals now have six verbal commitments to the class of ’14. All are considered solid three-star prospects by rivals.com.
This is very slowly turning into a well-rounded class. Harkless (6-foo- 5, 270 pounds) should be a good fit on the Cardinals line, and he’s still growing into his frame. He played most of last season about 40 pounds lighter, and looks to have retained his quick feet after gaining weight.
Reggie Bonnafon (Louisville, KY) was the first to commit in the class. He’s an outstanding athlete who’s been playing a little bit of quarterback and wide receiver at the elite Trinity High School. There’s a good chance he could move to running back at Louisville, especially considering how desperately the Cardinals need depth there.
Micky Crum (Columbus, OH) is being recruited as an athlete, but it’s more than likely he’ll be playing tight end at UL. He’s a fluid athlete with the ball in his hands and can help stretch the field.
Detric Dukes (Atlanta, GA) and Jeff Williams (Tallahassee, FL) are very intriguing linebacker prospects. These guys are good enough to play in the SEC, something coach Strong keeps in mind as he continues to mine the deep south for recruits.
Lastly, the Cardinals have a good safety duo currently committed in Michael Johnson (Hialeah, FL) and Marques Gayot (Lake Worth, FL). Both are thumpers who aren’t afraid to mix things up.
If you couldn’t tell already, Strong continues putting a huge recruiting emphasis on SEC country. Don’t expect that to change as his class continues to grow. Aside from a few players from neighboring Ohio (like Crum), almost all of the prospects the Cardinals are targeting reside in the deep south, especially Florida, where Strong has countless ties going back to his days with the Florida Gators.
Strong is a superb recruiter, and after a slightly disappointing class of 2013 (by his standards), I’d expect him to follow up with a strong class of ’14.
