Card Chronicle - Louisville Football: National Signing Day 2013 Denny Crum's 6th Favorite Websitehttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48327/cardchronicle_fave.png2013-02-06T14:04:02-05:00http://www.cardchronicle.com/rss/stream/37229832013-02-06T14:04:02-05:002013-02-06T14:04:02-05:00Jermaine Grace Chooses Miami over Louisville
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/9Rcokr4HfSDmoekM-jxGtKsp66c=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47827803/large_cardchronicle.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>Louisville's 2013 national signing day did not end on a high note. </p>
<p>Many believed four-star prospect Jermaine Grace out of Miramar (Fla.) High School was going to be the next elite linebacker to take his talents to The Ville, but he surprised those folks by signing with Miami on Wednesday afternoon. His announcement was televised live on ESPNU.</p>
<p>Grace, whom Rivals rates as the 17th-best linebacker in the country and the 201st-best prospect overall in the class of 2013, also had offers from Florida, Florida State, Texas and Nebraska, among many others. </p>
<p>A speedy 6'2, 200-pound ballhawk, Grace is best known for his tremendous athleticism and his knack for being in the right place at the right time. He finished his junior season with 15 total tackles, four interceptions, and a sack.</p>
<p>Like most elite recruits, Grace was looking to land in a situation where he'd be able to see the field sooner rather than later. With Preston Brown, Keith Brown, James Burgess and Nick Dawson all being underclassmen, that situation wasn't a guarantee for Grace at Louisville. </p>
<p>Barring a late post-signing day addition, U of L's class of 2013 will remain a club with 16 members. </p>
https://www.cardchronicle.com/2013/2/6/3960402/national-signing-day-2013-jermaine-grace-chooses-miami-over-louisvilleMike Rutherford2013-02-06T11:51:59-05:002013-02-06T11:51:59-05:00All 16 Commits Sign With Louisville
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/9Rcokr4HfSDmoekM-jxGtKsp66c=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47827803/large_cardchronicle.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>It appears there will be no drama for Louisville this national signing day, and that's a good thing. </p>
<p>Charlie Strong and company have received signed letters of intent from each one of the 14 commitments it was expecting to on Wednesday. Couple that with quarterback Brett Nelson and defensive tackle Finesse Middleton, who are already taking classes at U of L, and Louisville's recruiting class of 2013 currently rests at the expected number of 16. </p>
<p>The only intrigue remaining surrounds linebacker Jermaine Grace out of Florida. The four-star prospect will choose between Louisville and Miami on ESPNU at 2 p.m. </p>
<p>While we wait for that, here are some photos of your newest Cardinals making their college pledge official.</p>
<p>Richard Benjamin:</p>
<p><a href="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/imported_assets/1430375/BCblYhWCQAEnRbu.jpg"><img alt="Bcblyhwcqaenrbu_medium" class="photo" src="http://cdn2.sbnation.com/imported_assets/1430375/BCblYhWCQAEnRbu_medium.jpg"></a></p>
<p>Skylar Lacy:</p>
<p><a href="http://cdn1.sbnation.com/imported_assets/1430381/BCbIhE4CAAElOe3.jpg"><img alt="Bcbihe4caaeloe3_medium" class="photo" src="http://cdn2.sbnation.com/imported_assets/1430381/BCbIhE4CAAElOe3_medium.jpg"></a></p>
<p>Keith Towbridge:</p>
<p><a href="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/imported_assets/1430387/bcbzo8wcaae3prr.0_standard_709.0.jpg"><img alt="Bcbzo8wcaae3prr" class="photo" src="http://cdn2.sbnation.com/imported_assets/1430387/bcbzo8wcaae3prr.0_standard_709.0_medium.jpg"></a></p>
<p>Chucky Williams:</p>
<p><a href="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/imported_assets/1430399/F963275.jpg"><img alt="F963275_medium" class="photo" src="http://cdn2.sbnation.com/imported_assets/1430399/F963275_medium.jpg"></a></p>
<p>Kyle Bolin: </p>
<p><a href="http://cdn0.sbnation.com/imported_assets/1430411/F963279.jpg"><img alt="F963279_medium" class="photo" src="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/imported_assets/1430411/F963279_medium.jpg"></a></p>
<p>Keith Kelsey:</p>
<p><a href="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/imported_assets/1430417/BCbayBcCAAASjs6.jpg"><img alt="Bcbaybccaaasjs6_medium" class="photo" src="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/imported_assets/1430417/BCbayBcCAAASjs6_medium.jpg"></a></p>
https://www.cardchronicle.com/2013/2/6/3959774/national-signing-day-all-16-commitments-sign-with-louisvilleMike Rutherford2013-02-06T11:37:59-05:002013-02-06T11:37:59-05:00Keith Towbridge Is A Card
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/pDiW6QrUmwa2ZrNwouZQZWaoDrU=/0x100:600x500/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/7741955/bcbzo8wcaae3prr.0.jpg" />
</figure>
<p>Keith Towbridge, a versatile tight end out of Toledo, is the latest member of Charlie Strong's recruiting class of 2013 to officially sign on the dotted line.</p>
<p>Towbridge, who stands 6-5, 230-pounds, also had offers from Nebraska, Illinois, Purdue, Cincinnati and Kentucky, among others. He committed to Louisville after a weekend visit last April. </p>
<p>Despite playing in a run-oriented offense, Towbridge possesses the skill set to make plays in the passing game. He is also a basketball standout.</p>
<p>Here's your newest Cardinal in action as a junior:</p>
<p><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/edCs4H5ahk8" frameborder="0" height="315" width="100%"></iframe> <br id="1334253403576"></p>
https://www.cardchronicle.com/2013/2/6/3959748/national-signing-day-keith-towbridge-signs-with-louisvilleMike Rutherford2013-02-06T09:41:24-05:002013-02-06T09:41:24-05:00Lamar Robbins Spurns Louisville, Sticks With USF
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/LooPkSq2U2WqyEsVydaXp-DLQ4Y=/0x177:518x522/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/7729315/125486580.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Andy Lyons</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The first major news of Louisville's 2013 national signing day is in, and it's worth a frown..</p>
<p>Lamar Robbins, a four-star cornerback out of Miami who had been showing interest in Louisville, has decided to stick with South Florida. He also had offers from Auburn, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Michigan State, Texas A&M and Arkansas, among others. </p>
<p>Robbins' elite combination of size (6'3, 188-pounds) and skill could have resulted in him being one of the few players in this class who saw the field early on in his Cardinal career. He's a solid open field tackler and has the ability to battle with bigger receivers for jump balls, an area where Louisville corners struggled mightily at times this past season.</p>
<p>Lamont Green, Robbins' high school coach, <a href="http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/bulls/content/coach-db-robbins-still-firm-sign-usf" target="_blank">believed</a> his former player was firm in his commitment to USF as recently as Tuesday, and was ultimately proven right. </p>
<p>"I'm pretty sure now that he is going to go to South Florida. All indications point that way," Green said. "I haven't heard anything different from speaking to him as of this morning. This morning, it was all South Florida.</p>
<p>"I just picked up four hats and a couple of T-shirts for his family. All South Florida," Green added.</p>
<p>Louisville now turns its focus to four-star linebacker Jermaine Grace's decision this afternoon. </p>
https://www.cardchronicle.com/2013/2/6/3959046/national-signing-day-four-star-miami-db-lamar-robbins-sticks-withMike Rutherford2013-02-06T09:19:23-05:002013-02-06T09:19:23-05:00Kyle Bolin Makes It Official
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/__KGAVYXfbuCCgN78fnpJ24J6BI=/0x0:708x472/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/7727379/60583_1526632119774_2958301_n_standard_709.0.0.jpg" />
</figure>
<p>U of L has received a signed letter of intent from one of the most notable, and outspoken, members of its 2013 recruiting class.</p>
<p>It feels like Lexington Catholic quarterback Kyle Bolin has been a Cardinal for about five years now, but today it's official. </p>
<p>The three-star quarterback originally committed to Louisville back in Sept. of 2011 and has since been outspoken about his love for the Cardinals on social media sites like Twitter. That love hasn't made him a lot of friends in his home city, as the <i>Lexington Herald-Leader </i><a href="http://www.kentucky.com/2013/02/02/2500887/mark-story-lexcath-star-bolin.html" target="_blank">discussed</a> earlier this month. </p>
<blockquote>
<p>The day of this season's Louisville-Kentucky men's basketball matchup, Bolin put on a U of L shirt and took his younger brother, Clay, to a Lexington eatery to watch the game. After Rick Pitino's Cardinals won, a grown man who had two children with him told Kyle he "was a UK reject going to Louisville."</p>
<p>Then he challenged Bolin to a fight.</p>
<p>"My brother kept his head," Clay Bolin said. "The grown-up, he really seemed like he wanted to fight."</p>
<p>Perhaps most fascinating of all have been the things some people have felt free to direct at Kyle on Twitter.</p>
<p>One wished the quarterback a broken leg. Another hoped he develops Lou Gehrig's Disease.</p>
<p>"He showed me those things and I was like 'Why? Why would anyone say such things to a kid?" Monica Bolin, Kyle's mother, said. "It really does make you wonder."</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Bolin's senior season was off to a tremendous start before he tore his ACL on the final Friday of September. Up until that point, he had led Lexington Catholic to a 7-1 record and had completed completed 108-of-195 passes for 1,508 yards and six touchdowns.</p>
<p>Here's Bolin in action:</p>
<p><iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/uMh66ErF5_A" frameborder="0"></iframe> </p>
https://www.cardchronicle.com/2013/2/6/3958990/national-signing-day-kyle-bolin-signs-with-louisvilleMike Rutherford2013-02-06T09:05:41-05:002013-02-06T09:05:41-05:00Kyle Shortridge Signs With Louisville
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/qMBSYhfOUvhsYw72ry4iopvL60k=/0x1232:2662x3007/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/7726065/20120831_pjc_ar6_722.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Jamie Rhodes-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Seminole Ridge (Fla.) defensive tackle Kyle Shortridge has officially signed on to play football for the Louisville Cardinals.</p>
<p>Shortridge was originally committed to Purdue, but reopened his recruitment on Nov. 25 following the firing of coach Danny Hope. He visited U of L on the weekend of Dec. 8 and committed to Charlie Strong and company shortly after. </p>
<p>Standing 6'4, 275-pounds, Shortridge made a name for himself in the state of Florida with his physical play. Adding to that reputation is the fact that the intensity of U of L's practices is reportedly one of the major reasons he has chosen to become a Cardinal.</p>
<p>Ranked as the 44th best DT in the class of 2013 by Rivals, Shortridge was a hot commodity on the recruiting trail, boasting offers from the likes of Nebraska, Wisconsin, Texas A&M, Mississippi State, Michigan State and nearly 30 more.</p>
<p>Shortridge was the second defensive tackle to commit to Louisville following the news of U of L's joining the ACC, and the eighth member of Charlie Strong's recruiting class of 2013.</p>
<p>Here's your newest Card:</p>
<p><iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/qJN79j5HoHg" frameborder="0"></iframe> <br id="1355175087626"></p>
https://www.cardchronicle.com/2013/2/6/3958960/national-signing-day-kyle-shortridge-signs-with-louisvilleMike Rutherford2013-02-06T08:55:16-05:002013-02-06T08:55:16-05:00National Signing Day: What To Watch For
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Vn0OiMZcAQPtXjUxZ6__4tPhUR8=/22x0:3978x2637/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/7724625/20130102_pjc_ac9_237.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>National Signing Day is here again, the day when grown men spend 10-12 straight hours talking about the abilities and decisions of 18-year-old boys and then partake in a party to celebrate it all. It's a thing, and it's really, really popular. </p>
<p>As far as Louisville is concerned, here's what you need to know.</p>
<p>The Cards are expected to finish today with between 16-18 signed letters of intent. They already have a pair from JuCo quarterback Brett Nelson and Alabama defensive tackle Finesse Middleton. Then there are 14 other U of L commits who are expected to sign on to be Cardinals today. </p>
<p>Here's the list of the guys we know (or think we know) that will be a part of this class:</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/2128477/Screen_shot_2013-02-06_at_8.47.57_AM.png"><img src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/2128477/Screen_shot_2013-02-06_at_8.47.57_AM_medium.png" class="photo" alt="Screen_shot_2013-02-06_at_8"></a> <br id="1360158520159"></p>
<p><a href="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/2128485/Screen_shot_2013-02-06_at_8.48.09_AM.png" target="_blank"><img alt="Screen_shot_2013-02-06_at_8" class="photo" src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/2128485/Screen_shot_2013-02-06_at_8.48.09_AM_medium.png"></a> <br id="1360158548631"></p>
<p>As far as what you need to be on the watch for, four-star linebacker Jermaine Grace out of Florida will be announcing his decision live on ESPNU at 2 p.m. Grace is expected to pick between Louisville and Miami. Also worth watching is four-star DB Lamar Robbins, who is committed to South Florida but may wind up being flipped to the good guys before the day is over. </p>
<p>We'll have updates in this stream throughout the day with all the major happenings. </p>
https://www.cardchronicle.com/2013/2/6/3958876/louisville-football-national-signing-day-2013Mike Rutherford