Louisville Football already has a stellar class in place for 2020. The class currently has 23 commits, but the coaching staff will likely have 4 to 6 more spots left. It is ranked 30th in the country per 247sports. However, if the Cards can land a couple of these prized recruits this weekend it could put them into the top 25 of recruiting classes.
There is a mix of longtime commits, uncommitted targets, and targets that are committed elsewhere that the staff are trying to flip.
There are many longtime commits visiting one last time before they may it official by inking their Letters of Intent during the early signing period in late December.
UofL 2020 Commit Visitors
Zay Peterson
- Rating: 3 Star
- Position: S
- Height: 6’1
- Weight: 190 lbs
- High School: IMG Academy
- Hometown: Clayton, NC
- National Rank: 827th
- Position Rank: 58th
Cards nation way you at I
will be at❗️
🔴LOUISVILLE VS SYRACUSE GAME⚪️ with my boy @joshgriffis_
(Meet or beat us there)— Zay Peterson (@ZayPeterson) November 21, 2019
Peterson was among the early group of commits for the 2020 class, having committed on June 2nd. Originally from NC, Peterson enrolled at IMG Academy in FL. His is a teammate of a high priority UofL Target Josh Griffis, whom we will discuss later.
Peterson is a big hitting S with coverage skills. I can foresee him being an in-the-box S due to his ability to tackle and make big hits. He should be able to help stop an opponent’s rushing attack. However, he is very good at playing deep, reading plays, and coming in to break up passes by tipping them or by crushing a receiver. Occasionally, he lines up against slot receivers and is able to man up in coverage sticking right with them.
His big hitting, physical, attacking style should play really well in Bryan Brown’s defense. There’s a lot of Calvin Pryor in the way he plays.
Marvin Dallas
- Rating: 3 Star
- Position: OLB
- Height: 6’1
- Weight: 180 lbs
- School: JUCO-Georgia Military College
- Hometown: Milledgeville, GA
- National Rank: 37th
- Position Rank: 3rd
It’s that time✈️🗣 pic.twitter.com/dsrKxcoomX
— Marvin dallas (@Marvodallas7) November 22, 2019
Dallas is one of two players in the fold from Georgia Military College in the 2020 class. The other is OL Trevor Reid. Dallas was another early commit. He committed to the Cards on June 16th. A current teammate of Dallas and Reid will also be visiting this weekend: DE Yaya Diaby. He has been a high priority target of the staff since the summer. We will talk more about him later.
Dallas can line up as a true OLB or as a S. He’s very versatile in that regard. A sure tackler, he does very well as reading and recognizing plays and then reacting explosively to make tackles. Dallas very dependable in coverage situations as well when called upon. His greatest asset is his motor. Even when a play is run from the opposite side of the field from him, he works his way there and is around the ball. This defensive staff wants players that rally to the ball and Dallas is excellent at this.
To be honest, he reminds me a lot of his soon-to-be teammate Rodjay Burns. He plays with speed, can be asked to do a variety of things because of his skill, and is excellent at rallying to the ball; all things that can be said of Burns.
Trevor Reid
- Rating: 3 Star
- Position: OT
- Height: 6’5
- Weight: 265 lbs
- School: JUCO-Georgia Military College
- Hometown: Milledgeville, GA
- National Rank: 24th
- Position Rank: 3rd
Reid is another early commit for UofL. He committed to UofL on June 18th, just two days after his teammate Marvin Dallas.
Reid is a long, strong, and has quick feet. Reid falls in line with what Dwayne Ledford seems to have favored in his recruits; athletic yet strong blockers. It also appears UofL thinks he may be able to come right in and compete for immediate playing time. He is a potentially excellent pass blocker and a very good run blocker. Reid finishes blocks well, pushing and driving guys into the ground. He’s able to move his feet well, keeps his arms extended, and uses his hands well; especially in shutting down speed rushers.
This Louisville coaching staff is all about adding quality depth in the trenches. They love rotating offensive linemen to keep guys fresh. With the potential, and likely, loss of Mekhi Becton to the NFL, a player like Trevor Reid can possibly be a plug-and-play guy.
Josh Minkins Jr
- Rating: 3 Star
- Position: S/CB
- Height: 6’3
- Weight: 183 lbs
- High School: Ballard
- Hometown: Louisville, KY
- National Rank: 970th
- Position Rank: 62nd
Minkins was an early commit for his hometown school, committing on June 14th. He is a legacy recruit as his father played DB for UofL in early 2000s.
Minkins is a fast, smart, agile player. He plays S, CB, and WR for Ballard. It appears likely Minkins will play on the defensive side of the ball as his father did before him. Minkins looks like the size of a S, but his skill at CB could allow him to play at that position. He is a fast, agile player with very good hands. Punt returning is a possibility for him. He glides like Jaire Alexander did when running. His eyes are very good at reading QBs and plays and jumping routes. He’s very long and it allows him to break up quite a few passes or intercept them. Minkins possesses good leaping ability. On offense or defense, he high points the ball, attacking it in the air. Minkins is a good tackler and, like many other of the commits, wants to make a big hit when he can.
With the size and skill Minkins possesses, he could be a defensive matchup problem for offenses. He’s long, fast, and smart. Not to mention he can play at least 2 positions which will allow him to be a swiss army knife on defense if they want to utilize his talents that way.
Jordan Watkins
- Rating: 3 Star
- Position: ATH/WR
- Height: 6’0
- Weight: 180 lbs
- High School: Butler
- Hometown: Louisville, KY
- National Rank: 664th
- Position Rank: 41st
Jordan Watkins was originally committed to UK, but decommitted from them in October. He made several visits to UofL before finally deciding on October 29th to pull the trigger and join the flock.
Speed and athleticism are the two primary words that describe the football player that is Jordan Watkins. He was timed at 4.38 in the 40 yard dash earlier this year. On the football field, he is what many people would call a game breaker. Watkins lines up all over the field offensively; RB, WR, slot receiver, and even QB. Primarily, Watkins is used as a receiver. His speed on film easily matches the timed speed he recorded. His ability to accelerate quickly is something to behold. To go with his straight line speed, Watkins has a shiftiness that gives him the ability to make tacklers miss. It also works well in helping him get separation at the line of scrimmage. He’s a good route runner as a receiver. He is very good at tracking the ball with his eyes through the air and making difficult over-the-shoulder catches. His hands are strong yet soft; allowing him to make difficult catches without bobbling the ball. Surprisingly, he is able to beat good coverage by out jumping DBs and high pointing the ball. With the ball in his hands, Watkins is a threat to make a house call every time.
Watkins reminds me a little of Harry Douglas. He gets open, makes tough catches, and is a threat for big gains and TDs whenever the ball is in his hands.
Timothy Lawson
- Rating: 3 Star
- Position: OT
- Height: 6’5
- Weight: 278 lbs
- High School: National Christian Academy
- Hometown: Fort Washington, MD
- National Rank: 674th
- Position Rank: 51st
📍 Louisville this weekend
— AyeTim (@flyastim) November 22, 2019
Timothy Lawson committed to the Ville on June 15th. It was a big get for Scott Satterfield and Dwayne Ledford. Lawson had offers from North Carolina, NC State, and UK among others.
A big, physical, agile OL, Timothy Lawson plays both OG and OT for his high school. He is quite adept at both because of his agility and power. Lawson is a powerful OL that is pretty polished. When pass protecting, he pops out of his stance quickly and has very good footwork. He uses his arms and hands well. When run blocking, he’s very good at sealing off defenders and opening holes. He gains leverage, stays low, and drives defenders away from the hole. When blocking he has a high motor and nasty disposition, favoring driving defenders as far back as possible and often times pancaking them.
Louisville got a OT that has a ton of potential in Timothy Lawson. Under Coach Ledford’s tutelage, Lawson can become a great lineman. He definitely helps at a position of need for the Cards.
Luke Kandra
- Ranking: 3 Star
- Position: OG
- Height: 6’4
- Weight: 290 lbs
- High School: Elder
- Hometown: Cincinnati, OH
- National Rank: 1180th
- Position Rank: 58th
Kandra committed to the Cards on June 17th. He comes from the same high school as UofL legend Eric Wood. Elder has produced some very good offensive linemen.
Kandra is a big, athletic OL. He fits the profile of the other offensive linemen UofL has recruited; strong, agile, and mean on the field. He is one the staff has been in on for a while now. Kandra is a nasty mauler, a road paver for his RB. Explosive at the snap, he is a powerful run blocker. Once he engages a defender, he maintains leverage, drives his legs, and finishes the block by putting the defender on the ground. Kandra has quick feet and is fast enough to pull and be a lead blocker on certain plays. As a pass protector, Kandra is proficient. He’s able to still be a forceful blocker due to his strength. However, he uses his quick feet and athleticism to stay in front of defenders.
Luke Kandra is a lot like Eric Wood in the way he plays. He will be a good interior lineman and a key piece for Louisville’s future.
Austin Collins
- Rating: 3 Star
- Position: OG
- Height: 6’4
- Weight: 260 lbs
- High School: Perrysburg
- Hometown: Perrysburg, OH
- National Rank: 1571st
- Position Rank: 89th (listed as a DE)
Collins is originally from Louisville and played at Christian Academy of Louisville before moving to OH. He plays both sides of the ball; offensive and defensive line. At Louisville, he will play offensive line.
At CAL, Collins is a two-way player, playing both OL and DL. However, it seems clear UofL wants him to join Dwayne Ledford’s Band of Brothers on the OL. He helped lead his team to the 2A State Title last season. Collins is an athletic OL with quick feet; he’s exceptional at pulling and lead blocking on running plays. A very powerful and nasty blocker in the run game, Collins can also use his hands and footwork to pass block. Collins blocks until the whistle, playing with a high motor. At the snap, Collins has great get-off as he explodes either into a block or into a pull. Collins gets and maintains leverage in his blocks very well. He lined up a lot at OG in his highlights, but did have a few plays at tackle.
This Louisville coaching staff just stacked their class with quality offensive linemen. Collins is exactly what they like; a guy that is nasty, strong, but with good footwork.
Duane Martin
- Rating: 3 Star
- Position: ATH
- Height: 6’1
- Weight: 235 lbs
- High School: Laurens District 55
- Hometown: Laurens, SC
- National Rank: 1617th
- Position Rank: 128th
Martin is listed as an ATH. The former ECU commit chose Louisville on June 15th. He will likely play the H-Back position we see current Card Marshon Ford play.
Martin, at 6’1 235 lbs, fits the mold of what Satterfield likes in his H-back/TE. An athletic, quick player that is a good blocker. He played some H-Back/FB in high school and he was asked to do some running. Martin can catch some passes and will be asked to do that in short yardage and goal line situations. He has the speed and athleticism to be utilized downfield as well. Martin can be a big time blocker. Much like Marshon Ford, he should really help downfield to get RBs big gains.
As we have seen with Marshon Ford, Duane Martin will be a vital piece to the Satterfield offense. He can block and catch passes and that fits what Satterfield asks of his H-Backs perfectly.
Nick Malito
- Rating: 3 Star
- Position: WR
- Height: 6’2
- Weight: 205 lbs
- High School: Girard
- Hometown: Girard, OH
- National Rank: 1259th
- Position Rank: 181st
Malito committed to UofL on September 8th. He brings size and speed to the receiver corps. Coach Satterfield seems to truly value speed on his teams.
A receiver with size and speed, Malito was an excellent receiver for his high school team last season. He had 53 receptions for 1313 yards and 15 receiving TDs; averaging 87.5 yards receiving a game and 24.8 yards per catch per MaxPreps. Per Hudl, Malito was clocked at a blazing 4.39 in the 40 yard dash. According to athletic.net, Malito participated in track and field and ran a 10.95 in the 100 meters and had a 21’7 long jump.
At 6’2 205 lbs, Nick Malito is a good size receiver. He is every bit of that blazing fast 4.39. He accelerates quickly at the snap, so quickly that he seems to catch defenses off guard. His strength makes Malito very difficult to jam at the line of scrimmage. His hands are excellent with the ball sticking to them. Malito is very good at tracking the deep ball in flight and making over the shoulder catches. He can go up and get a ball when need be, but he’s usually so wide open that it’s usually unnecessary.
Malito gives Coach Satterfield a big, fast target that should be able to be utilized in the play-action passing game. His physicality and size should make him an excellent downfield and edge blocker in the run game much like Seth Dawkins is.
Christian Fitzpatrick
- Rating: 3 Star
- Position: WR
- Height: 6’4
- Weight: 210 lbs
- High School: Southfield
- Hometown: Southfield, MI
- National Rank: 568th
- Position Rank: 102nd
Fitzpatrick is the younger brother of current Card WR Dez Fitzpatrick. He originally committed to Washington State and Air Raid guru Mike Leach. However, he had a change of heart and flipped his commitment to UofL on October 20th.
Fitzpatrick should fit right in as an outside receiver in the Louisville offense. At 6’4, Fitzpatrick uses his big frame to position his body to help create a bigger target for his quarterback. Fitzpatrick is a more than capable option for running routes through the middle of the field and making the tough catches. Christian also uses his long arms, vertical, and excellent hands to go up and attack jump balls their highest points, jump balls that he usually wins. He’s also a beast of a downfield blocker in the run game.
Fitzpatrick gives Louisville a big downfield and redzone target in the passing game. Much as Devante Parker did at UofL, he’s a player you can just heave up 50-50 balls to and he will go get it.
Louisville also has a group of uncommitted prospects they are trying to land and prospects committed elsewhere that they’re trying to flip on campus this weekend.
Brock Travelstead
- Rating: 3 Star/5 Star
- Position: K
- Height: 6’1
- Weight: 190 lbs
- High School: North Paulding
- Hometown: Dallas, GA
- National Rank: 2018th
- Position Rank: 6th/4th
*second rank and rating numbers from Chris Sailer Kicking.
Travelstead could likely take over kicking duties from departing senior Blanton Creque. Louisville locked him up on June 15th.
Travelstead is an accurate kickerwith a big leg. He had all, but 7 of kickoffs be touchbacks. His range is right near 50 yards, but not quite there. It’ll be hard to replace Creque who was so reliable, but Travelstead may have the leg to do it.
Louisville knew it likely needed a K and found their guy in Brock Travelstead. One thing missing from Louisville special teams has been touchbacks. It will be nice to consistently get touchbacks on kickoffs.
2020 Uncommitted Prospects
Yaya Diaby
- Rating: 3 Star
- Position: SDE
- Height: 6’4
- Weight: 255 lbs
- School: JUCO-Georgia Military College
- Hometown: Atlanta, GA
- National Rank: 35th
- Position Rank: 4th
- Offers: 10-including Louisville, Tennessee, Arizona, West Virginia, and UCF, among others.
Diaby has been on Louisville’s radar a long time. A teammate of commits Marvin Dallas and Trevor Reid, Diaby is a player Louisville covets for his size and skill.
Diaby is a versatile DE. He is excellent at exploding off the ball at the snap and going unblocked into the backfield. His speed pass rush is amazing. He’s very good at getting tackles for loss on RBs. He’s able to get low and gain leverage on blockers; getting around them and to the RB or QB. He’s a very smart player with a high motor as well. He understands his job on each play and never tries to do too much. He sheds blocks with good use of his hands and pure strength to make plays. Diaby is an all-around excellent DE that will provide a pass rush Louisville sorely needs; not to mention he’s physically ready to come in and contribute day 1.
Louisville seems like the favorite here and it seems to have been that way for a while. The hope is he leaves this visit as a commit.
Maureese Wren
- Rating: 3 Star
- Position: OLB
- Height: 6’4
- Weight: 220 lbs
- School: JUCO-Tyler Junior College
- Hometown: Mesquite, TX
- National Rank: 106th
- Position Rank: 1st
- Offers: 7-including Louisville, Nebraska, Missouri, and West Virginia, among others
Wren is another player that has been on Louisville’s radar for quite some time. Louisville covets the explosiveness he has and his ability to create havoc for opposing offenses.
Wren is unbelievablely explosive off the snap. Often times he is in the opponent’s backfield before offensive linemen are out of their stance. It makes him an incredible speed rusher off the edge. Wren can also cover in the passing game because he has good speed. His size allows him to shed blocks and help stop the run game of opponents. He’s a guy that should find himself racking up tackles for loss and put QBs under siege.
Louisville is really trying to get pass rushers this class to be able to generate pressure on opposing QBs and help their secondary generate interceptions. Maureese Wren fits the bill to do that.
Joshua Pierre-Louis
- Rating: 3 Star
- Position: CB
- Height: 5’9
- Weight: 165 lbs
- High School: The Benjamin School
- Hometown: North Palm Beach, FL
- National Rank: 991st
- Position Rank: 81st
- Offers: 12-including Louisville, Auburn, NC State, Minnesota, and Duke, among others
Pierre-Louis was just recently offered by Louisville.
Blessed to have earned a scholarship offer from The University of Louisville #GoCards @UofLFootball @EraPrep @MaxPreps @newera22_ @CoachMikeColee @247Sports pic.twitter.com/8KG9nt4e80
— Joshua Pierre-louis (@josh_hhtp) November 2, 2019
He’s newer on the radar, but fits the type of player Louisville is looking for at a position of need: CB. The staff seems set on trying to land at least one, if not two, CBs and Pierre-Louis is one they are eyeing along with Greedy Vance.
Pierre-Luis isn’t the tallest or the biggest, but he’s unbelievably physical. He’s a press man coverage type of CB. He sticks with his coverage assignment like gum to a shoe when in man. Pierre-Luis isn’t afraid to help out against the run. He attacks ball carriers and brings them down. He’s seems like exactly the type of player Bryan Brown loves.
It’ll be interesting to see if the interest grows between the two parties or if he or the Cards look elsewhere.
2020 Prospects Committed Elsewhere
Josh Griffis
- Rating: 3 Star
- Position: WDE
- Height: 6’4
- Weight: 245 lbs
- High School: IMG Academy
- Hometown: Bradenton, FL
- National Rank: 545th
- Position Rank: 21st
- Offers: 13-including Florida State (currently committed), Louisville, Florida, and Nebraska, among others.
📍Louisville 🔥🔴⚫️ pic.twitter.com/0Wl2g9SH7o
— B I G C O U N T R Y 🤠 (@joshgriffis_) November 23, 2019
Though still committed to FSU, Griffis has been looking around, especially since the firing of Willie Taggart. He recently named a top 3 of Nebraska, FSU, and Louisville. It appears it may be more of a two team race between the Cards and Noles. Can UofL flip him before signing day?
Griffis is another DL that explodes out of his stance at the snap of the ball. He’s definitely a pass rushing DE. He can get incredibly low with his pad level, allowing him to get around the blocks of OTs with a nice speed rush. Griffis has a very quick spin move and a nice swim move that make him nearly impossible to block. His motor is always on high and his speed and agility are top notch.
Griffis is maybe the top DL on Louisville’s radar because he has elite skills. He would likely play heavy minutes as a freshman because of his ability to rush the passer from the DE spot. UofL is going to fight right up til signing day to flip him.
Thomas Shrader
- Rating: 3 Star
- Position: OC
- Height: 6’4
- Weight: 283 lbs
- High School: Venice
- Hometown: Venice, FL
- National Rank: 607th
- Position Rank: 13th
- Offers: 26-including Florida State (committed since July 28th), Louisville, Boston College, Indiana, UK, and Purdue, among others.
Shrader is another FSU commit Louisville is working on flipping. Before his commitment to the Noles, Shrader had the Cards ranked highly. In fact, he chose, in essence, between the Cards and FSU. With the coaching change in Tallahassee, the hope is UofL can persuade him to jump ship.
Shrader is a OL that will likely be an interior lineman in college. However, he has played at OT in high school. A powerful, bruising lineman, Shrader explodes out of his stance at the snap. He is a nasty run blocker, finishing blocks by driving with his legs and driving DL backwards or into the ground. He knows how to use his hands well and will likely get better under Dwayne Ledford. In pass protection, he uses a very wide base that anchors him well. He’s also not afraid to pancake pass rushers. Like all the committed Louisville OL prospects, Shrader fits that Satterfield mold.
Louisville will push for him until the very end. He’s exactly what they want in an OL and he can give UofL that quality depth they want. Especially since the staff likes to rotate OL quite a bit.
Jo’Quavious Marks
- Rating: 4 Star
- Position: RB
- Height: 5’10
- Weight: 190 lbs
- High School: Carver
- Hometown: Atlanta, GA
- National Rank: 152nd
- Position Rank: 15th
- Offers: 24-including Mississippi State (committed since May 20th), Louisville, Wisconsin, Alabama, Auburn, and Ohio State, among others
UofL was not going to look for a RB in this class. They love the RB corps they have of Javian Hawkins, Hassan Hall, Maurice Burkley, Jalen Mitchell, and Aidan Robbins. Hawkins will be just a redshirt sophomore next year, Hall a junior, Burkley a redshirt senior, Mitchell a redshirt freshman, and Robbins a redshirt freshman. However, when a RB this talented wants to visit campus, you don’t turn him down. And if you sway him to join your program, you take him. Jo’Quavious Marks is the kind of talent I just described.
Currently committed to Mississippi State, it appears he may be ready to jump ship. Wisconsin is in good position, but Louisville getting a visit shows that Marks has seen the program and likes what he has seen from afar. Getting him to flip to the Cards would be a huge coup for Coach Satterfield and staff.
Marks is a RB with excellent vision. He reads blocks well, sees the hole, makes one cut, and accelerates through it. Then he turns on the burners and breaks off huge gains. He shows great balance when cutting and when forced to avoid or break tackles. Obviously, he can break tackles very well. Marks is a showtime back. If Louisville did get him, their RB stable would be second to none in the country.
While a long shot to land him, just getting a player the caliber of Marks on campus is huge for the program. It shows that uber talented players are definitely taking notice of our school and this staff.
It will be interesting to see if any flips or commits come out of this big recruiting weekend for Louisville. I’m keeping an eye on Yaya Diaby, Maureese Wren, and the two FSU commits. I think Louisville is in great position with all four. Needless to say, this coaching staff continues to make waves on the recruiting trail.
