One of the last pieces Louisville sought for its 2016 recruiting class was a big, pass-rushing outside linebacker to play in Todd Grantham's 3-4 defense. They got it officially today with the signing of former Georgia signee Gary McCrae. McCrae signed with Georgia out of high school as part of the 2015 recruiting class but did not qualify academically and headed to East Mississippi Community College. McCrae received heavy interest late in the recruiting process from Michigan State, Mississippi State, and a bit from Tennessee. Out of high school he also listed offers from numerous major programs around the southeast.
At 6'5, 245, McCrae can easily slide into the outside linebacker role that Lorenzo Mauldin and Devonte Fields have held down so well in Louisville's current defensive scheme. With the transfers of Keith Brown and Nick Dawson-Brents, outside linebacker depth was thin but McCrae should go a long way toward helping that.