Los Fresnos (TX) offensive lineman Mario Benavides became the eighth player in the class of 2008 to commit to Louisville when he did so on Saturday.
The 6-4, 285-pound Benavides is rated as the No. 31 offensive tackle in the country by Scout.com, and had originally committed to Ole Miss before having a recent change of heart. He said that he felt more comfortable with the players and coaches during his visit to Louisville than he had in Oxford, and returned to Texas more excited.
A three-year starter, Benavides was a first-team All-State selection in Texas' Class 5A in 2006 when he allowed only one sack and recorded a whopping 79 pancakes as a junior. He started all 11 games as a sophomore in 2005 and earned second team All-State honors.
Benavides will graduate from high school in December and enroll at U of L in January. He'll provide depth at either guard or center, where he could have the opportunity to learn from Eric Wood.
You can see the future Card in action thanks to this this well put together highlight reel: