The Cardinal Countdown: 67 Days Until Kickoff

#67 Luke Kandra

Class: Freshman

Ht/Wt: 6-4/292

Position: Offensive Line

Hometown: Cincinnati, OH

Twitter: @luke_kandra

Thoughts: I think there is a prerequisite in that every article or video discussing Luke Kandra from now until graduation you have to note that he is from the same high school as Eric Wood and was “encouraged” by Wood to attend the University of Louisville (and he also has curly hair), so now that we’ve got that out of the way what can we make of the second year true freshman? Well, last year at this time I said we would either see a significant amount of Kandra early or probably not see him at all as I felt he was talented enough to not burn a year of eligibility if not a consistent threat to see the field. So even with a free year due to COVID the staff held him out last season in what I assume to be preparation for a shot at some PT in 2021.

Most, myself included, seem to land Kandra in the guard spot which is a position he played in high school, and most likely on the left side of the line behind the now vet Caleb Chandler. Kandra was a great pull a couple seasons ago because he showed a good understanding of the techniques you hope to develop in a young lineman once you get him on campus. Having a leg up from a skills standpoint is a huge benefit and I think he has a real shot at getting some reps this year in the middle.

I dropped some highlight clips from high school last year so instead I throw you this YouTube clip from a few years ago where they talk to Luke about his athleticism across multiple sports and where he gets his competitive drive.

Sweet Tweet:

A retweet from Luke with a message I 100% agree with. Very easy to get tied up in work or other “stuff” and before you realize it you’re missing the important things in life. I’ve been blessed to share with you all during this countdown the birth of two of my three children over the years. Writing posts in the hospital, snuggling with my newborn baby reading your comments, this thing is a big chunk of my life for about 1/3 of the year and it feels good to share those happy memories to look back and reflect on, it’s therapeutic to me. Unfortunately, there is a flip side to that, and yesterday we had to let a close family member go. This doesn’t have anything to do with Louisville, or football, or countdowns, but that’s never stopped me before. I just wanted to say hug your family, your friends, tell them you love them. If we learned anything over the last year or so it should be that time together is something it’s tough to put a value on, and even more so when it’s no longer an option.