Cardinal Football Signs 25 in 2015 Class

Mark BlankenbakerFebruary 4, 2015

The 2015 University of Louisville recruiting class produced signees from coast to coast as the Cardinals inked signees from nine different states. Head coach Bobby Petrino signed one of his best recruiting classes in his tenure at Louisville.

In total, Louisville announced 25 signees Wednesday, the first day of the college football letter of intent signing period. The class is comprised of 17 high school athletes, seven junior college transfers, and one transfer encompassing 10 different positions and an athlete.

Once again, the state of Florida produced the most signees for the Cardinals with seven, followed by Alabama with six and Georgia with four student-athletes. The Cardinals signed two players from Mississippi, and also signed student-athletes from the states of North Carolina, Maryland, California, Louisiana and Texas.

The sixth signing class under Petrino featured six wide receivers, the highest total of any position group. In addition, the Cardinals also added four offensive linemen and three linebackers and three defensive linemen. With the graduation of three starting offensive linemen and a number of senior wide receivers, Petrino put a priority on those two positions.

For the first time in the Petrino era, the Cardinals added eight signees in January. Cornerback Jaire Alexander (Charlotte, N.C.), defensive tackle Drew Bailey (Jacksonville, Fla.), wide receivers Paul Harris (Fort Washington, Md.), Traveon Samuel (Phenix City, Ala.) and Jamari Staples (Lineville, Ala.), tight end Cole Hikutini (San Francisco, Calif.), running back Jeremy Smith (Hammo nd, La.) and offensive linemanKhalil Hunter (Orlando, Fla.) are in school and working out with the Cardinals during the winter conditioning program.

Because of the loss of a number of wide receivers, Petrino addressed that position in a big way with the signing of three wide receivers, who stand larger than 6-foot-3. 6-foot-6 wide receiver Devante Peete (Pompano Beach, Fla.), was one of the top receivers in Florida after leading St. Thomas Aquinas to a state title. Emonee Spence, a 6-foot-3 wideout from Pembroke Pines, Fla, is a four-star prospect and 6-foot-4 wide receiver Jaylen Smith (Pascagoula, Miss.) also helps bolster the position.

The offensive line was a major priority and was addressed with four additions to the class. Geron Christian (Ocala, Fla.), the brother of former tight end Gerald Christian, was a big addition. Chandler Jones (Powder Springs, Ga.) and Kenny Thomas (Prattville, Ala.) joined Hunter, who enrolled in January.

The Cardinals added some strength to the defensive line with the addition of defensive ends Devonte Fields (Fort Worth, Texas) and G.G. Robinson (Lilburn, Ga.). Fields was rated as one of the top junior-college players in the nation and Robinson spurned offers from Auburn and Florida to sign with the Cardinals. He ended his senior campaign with 7.5 sacks and 18.5 tackles for loss.

Two talented linebackers added depth to the defense with the signing of two Alabama natives in Tim Bonner (Demopolis, Ala.) and Amonte Caban (Smiths, Ala.). Bonne totaled 84 tackles last season and Caban closed his senior with 140 stops and 16.0 tackles for loss. Jonathan Greenard, an putsid linebacker from Hiram, Ga., totaled 7.0 sacks last season.

The Cardinals bolstered the quarterback position with the signing of four-star standout Lamar Jackson (Boynton Beach, Fla.), who threw for 1,293 yards and 20 scores, while rushing for 1,039 yards and 19 touchdowns.

Besides Smith, who enrolled in January, the Cardinals added another running back in James Allen (Citra, Fla.), who was named the Marion County Player of the Year.

With the loss of four players in the secondary, the Cardinals signed a pair of defensive backs in Khane Pass (Columbus, Ga.) and Dee Smith(Florence, Ala.).

Trey Smith (Madison, Miss.) is a versatile athletes, who recorded 1,473 yards rushing and 12 touchdowns, while catching 39 passes for 491 yards abd seven scores.