:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/52268577/usa-today-9713508.0.jpeg)
Looking to restock and upgrade its offensive line, Louisville got a significant boost when junior college offensive tackle Ronald Rudd (6'7, 305) committed to the Cardinals early Tuesday afternoon.
— Ronald Rudd III (@bigtymeballa000) December 13, 2016
Rudd is rated one of the best junior college offensive lineman available in the 2017 class. 247Sports rates him a composite three-star prospect and the #4 junior college offensive tackle prospect in the country. ESPN rates him a four-star prospect and lists him in its JUCO Top 50 prospects available for this recruiting cycle. Prior to committing to Louisville, Rudd had been committed to UCLA, whom he chose over offers from virtually everyone in the PAC 12 and Big 12. His profile lists offers from over a dozen Power 5 schools. He most recently visited with Arizona State before picking Louisville.
Given the way the offensive line struggled down the stretch and the fact that the three interior starters will be lost to graduation, an infusion of talent both in the near and long terms is vital. Louisville getting a player the caliber of Rudd and enrolling four-star Cole Bentley in January will help on both fronts. Rudd is still working out when he will graduate and have met all of the requirements to enroll at Louisville but he will have two years to play when he arrives.
Even with Rudd and Bentley on board, Louisville is far from done seeking offensive line prospects. The Cardinals are still hot after Toryque Bateman, Kadeem Telfort, Caleb Chandler, and Jordan Tucker among several other targets. With Rudd's commitment, Louisville's class now moves into the top 25 team classes on 247Sports at #23. The Cardinals could be in for another boost when four-star safety CJ Avery makes his announcement tomorrow.