Football Commitments thus far for 2010

So we have all been made well-aware of the lack of depth facing this year's team.

We're no Texas (apparently Texas high schools only produce 3 -5 star recruits), but It seems as if the recruiting is picking up a little compared to the last 2 years. Kragthorpe and his new band of merry men have actually pulled some good in-state talent as well as prospects from neighboring Ohio (what's high in the middle and round on both ends?).  Sprinkle those in with a couple of JUCOs from out west, and you have what looks to be the beginning of a relatively good recruiting class. Here's a quick update on the 2010 commitments.

ESPNU I think best summed up Paschal's game:

Paschal is a very versatile football player that has excellent athletic skills. He has good size and can play several different positions. Shows speed and quickness on the coverage unit; first man down the field on a regular basis and avoids contact in the openfield. Avoids blockers and takes good angles to the return man to make a play or make the returner bounce. As a safety comes up instantly on run support and isn't afraid to put his face on the ball carrier but needs to be a more consistent tackler; tends to ankle tackle at times while other times makes good solid hits. Possesses quick feet and breaks on the deep ball and underneath routes instinctively. Displays very good hands and can make the interception a routine play; times the pick perfectly. On offense, catches the ball well out of the backfield then make tacklers miss. Demonstrates he ability to turn a flare pass into a big gain. Slippery in the openfield and makes sharp cuts without losing speed. Paschal is a very valuable weapon on the field and can be slotted into several positions. He could be a safety, receiver, and even a corner if he can play man to man coverage. Paschal will be a major special teams standout at the next level.

Paschal starred mainly as a CB/safety, and will look to carry that over to UofL secondary. Because of our immediate need for a corner (I like to throw around the term "shut-down corner") and based on his size and quickness, he should see some playing time early in his collegiate career.

From the Dayton Daily News:

By Chick Ludwig, Staff Writer, June 16, 2009

Jordon Paschal will spend one more year as a Trotwood-Madison Ram, then he’ll spread his wings and fly away with the Louisville Cardinals.

The 5-foot-10, 182-pound cornerback gave Louisville head coach Steve Kragthorpe an oral commitment on Sunday, June 14, at the Cardinals’ development camp for high school seniors.

"Louisville’s a big school and it’s close to home," said Paschal, who considered Indiana, Cincinnati, Akron and Central Michigan. "They’ve got a great coaching staff and nice facilities. It’s a great opportunity for me, and I’m excited about my future."

Paschal is a versatile player who earned first team All-GWOC North honors as a junior for the 2008 Rams (4-6), who won four of their final five games after an 0-5 start to capture the North division title (4-0).

He recorded three interceptions for 23 yards, including a long gain of 15, and added two fumble recoveries, one forced fumble and a sack. The highlight of his season came against Wayne when he returned a fumble 94 yards for a touchdown.

Pascal also scored two offensive TDs — one rushing and one receiving. He’ll cover kicks at Louisville and be given a shot as the Cardinals’ punt returner.

"I’m quick, and I’ll bring my (4.49) speed to the table," he said. "I know I can impact special teams right away. To be a corner, you’ve got to be smart, have good footwork and hips. You’ve got to remember: The offense makes plays, too. For a corner, a short memory helps."

__________________________________________________________________________________________

Honestly, I'm a little worried about his size, but with a name like Tyon, how can you go wrong?  I seem to remember a 5'11" DE/LB who had long arms and a sweet name doing well here at UofL.  Where is that guy now?

The writeup from ESPNU:

Dixon is a very quick and aggressive undersized linebacker with good productivity. Lacks ideal measurables and feel he would need to play on the weakside or in a Bandit/Rover type of role to have success at the next level. Does have longer, stronger arms which allows him to play taller on film and hints of continued physical development. Doesn't always make fast reads but is very quick to the football and takes sharp, direct angles. Closes fast with good acceleration between the white lines. Difficult to outflank to the outside. Has good range on both run and pass support but does appear a bit quicker than fast. Very active to the football and pursues with a high motor that often lets him recover off false steps. Fills hard and fast between the tackles displaying good downhill burst. While he steps up hard between the tackles, he lacks the bulk at this time needed to retain his base at the point of attack. Needs to wrap up more solidly as a tackler. Can get caught up in the wash and let bigger blockers reach him; hand technique is adequate but feel he could get engulfed at the major college level. Will likely need to play outside covered up. Struggles with reads at times and is not very reactive initially for a smaller linebacker. Shows a bit of stiffness and wasted motion changing direction. That said, Dixon swarms to the football on both run and pass support and could be sliding under the BCS radar, particularly if he lands in a heavy, upfield defense.

I'm glad we got him before Cinci did. He will be a 3-year starter for Colerain, which is a very strong, usually nationally-ranked football program.

__________________________________________________________________________________________

Quan Weaver may be the fastest thing out of Frankfort since (insert funny KY political joke ).  The self-proclaimed "Human Bullet" rushed for 2,092 yards and 24 TDs last year while also winning the Class A 100 and 200-meter state titles, so you know he has some afterburners hidden in those cleats. Jody Demling has him listed as one of the top ten recruits out of KY.  Here's a Youtube video with Quan delivering a sweet stiff-arm.  Although not a bruising back, his blazing speed would seem to fit into Kragthorpe's system quite well. IMO he has a great first move and gets to the outside quickly.  Weaver will have to compete for playing time as Anderson will obviously be the feature back, but he seems built from the same mold as Anderson and will look to contribute in other aspects of the game as well.

Quan Weaver Second Highlight Sent To U of L (via Youngbuk8)

__________________________________________________________________________________________

Could this be the next Eric Wood? Harris Biven has been nominated the "best lineman in the state" as he has  dominated the competition thus far while playing at Owensboro Apollo.  JD also gave him a nod as one of the top 10 recruits from the Bluegrass State. Here is Biven's recruiting video making some nice blocks.  I know, exciting stuff.

Harris Bivin Junior Highlight Offense HQ 640x480 (via livnloca)

But wait there's more.... HE HAS HIS OWN WEBSITE!.  Check it out: harrisbiven.com. It's actually pretty good and there is way more info there than I can present you with in a timely fashion. Nonetheless, I think Harris might be one of Kragthorpe's best recruits to date. He will bring size and experience to a team needing to fill the shoes of a first-round, All-American draft pick.

___________________________________________________________________________________________

Simien (I've seen three different ways to spell his first name) is a 6-foot-3, 210-pound junior college safety that Lville picked up for 2009. A Burbank High School (Sacramento, CA.) / College of San Mateo (San Mateo, CA.) product, Simien chose the Cards over Indiana and Memphis (State). Although listed as a SS, Simien may see some time alongside Johnny Patrick at CB as we are still a little green at that position.  If he is really as fast as his 40 time shows, he will be a welcomed addition to our defense.  You can't teach height....especially to speedy cornerbacks.

 The good people at Cardinal Dominance have this video posted from Simien's JUCO team: Terence Simien 2009 6:14 Highlight Video.  This guy reads the QB's eyes and has good timing on his hits. I'm interested to see how this two year project turns out.  Like Woodney Turenne, I am hoping he will atleast fill some gaps his first year while being a major factor in his final season with the Cards.