The Cardinal Countdown: 82 Days Until Kickoff

#82 Keion Wakefield

Class: RS Freshman

Ht/Wt: 5-10/179

Position: Wide Receiver

Hometown: Louisville, KY (Product of Male High School)

Twitter: @BoobieWake11

Thoughts: Our first native Louisvillian on the Countdown this year, Keion already has a built-in fanbase before ever playing a snap in a Cardinal jersey, but I think that number grows substantially as Cards fans get to see just how talented Mr. Wakefield is.

Keion, out Male High School, was a great pickup for Petrino and company last year, as they knew the wide receiving core would be greatly depleted with a ton of senior departures after the 2016 season. Wakefield, along with uber-talented wideout Dez Fitzpatrick, took a redshirt last season as the Cards were heavy on experience in the group, but just like Fitzpatrick I think we’ll see some flashes of greatness from Wakefield in 2017. (Wakefield also had a TD in the Spring Game, 57yds)

At 5-10, 179lb Wakefield has the frame of a prototypical “small and shifty” slot receiver, but he has enough speed that I wouldn’t be surprised to see him line up outside the hash on occasion as well, similar to how Petrino used Reggie last year. I know the 2016 class was somewhat overshadowed with the big names of Jawon Pass, Fitzpatrack, etc but Wakefield was a big get over rival Kentucky (where his brother played) and local schools Purdue, IU, and Cincinnati. Winning the battle for hometown talent is important but with players like Keion it should be emphasized even more so. I believe the Cards scored a kid who will contribute to them winning more than one trophy over the next four years.

Sweet Tweet:

Example #387 of “How you know someone is from Louisville”

“…it’s more than a contest, its more…than a…RAAAAACCE”

..

P.S. Tip of the cap to the Cardinal Nine, looking forward to seeing the boys of summer make some noise in Omaha this year.