By Justin Renck:
When National Signing Day comes in February, there are always some players you wonder about. Will they really sign? What’s the hold up? Will they make it to campus? Well, we for sure don’t have to worry about that for 3 Cardinals for the class of 2013.
JUCO QB Brett Nelson, Florida transfer Willie Bailey, and Finesse Middleton have already enrolled and are taking classes at UofL for the spring semester.
Nelson is a big QB at 6’4 and 220 lbs. In 2 seasons at Southwestern Community College in California, Nelson passed for 34 touchdowns and 17 interceptions. He also threw for 4,472 total yards.
Nelson has said that he knows it is Teddy Bridgewater’s job as the starter, and he has no problem with that. What could happen is that in 2013, Nelson learns from Teddy as the backup, and if Teddy goes to the NFL, Nelson will have 1 year to run the show. If Teddy stays through his senior year, then we are just stuck with having a solid backup! (Kyle Bolin could redshirt in 2013 as he recovers from ACL surgery)
Willie Bailey is a defensive back who has transferred to UofL from Florida. He was a freshman this past season but did not play. He will still have to sit out in 2013, and then will have 3 years remaining to play for the Cards. At 6’2, he will bring some size in the defensive backfield. Before choosing to come to UofL, he also considered Tennessee, WVU, and Miami (FL). He is the 4th player to transfer here from Florida since Charlie Strong has been at UofL. The other 3 are Adrian Bushell, Robert Clark, and Gerald Christian. Clark and Christian will be playing in 2013.
Finesse Middleton is a defensive lineman and considered the 50th best player in the state of Alabama by 247sports, which is a big compliment with a state of so much football talent. He was originally committed to Ole Miss before switching to the Cards. He had 63 tackles and 11 sacks last season in high school.