The worst fears were unfounded. While Scott Satterfield’s engagement to Louisville has been reeling in weeks, his recruiting elegance has stood firm.
L University’s ill-advised and poorly hidden flirtation with the University of South Carolina had no tangible effect on the elegance of the firm it announced Wednesday.
Twenty-one of the 22 who had made verbal commitments to the U of L responded to autographed letters of intent wednesday morning. Only Seattle suburban supporter Jaraye Williams, son of former basketball star Cardinal Terrence Williams, has not yet signed.
“Most of the time, when you think about signing day, there are some surprises,” Satterfield said. “Luckily for us, this time we had no surprises. We were able to achieve the goals we were pursuing and the kids looking to be here.
The wonder that there were no backward misses, no last-minute setbacks through corrupted recruits through high-level systems and/or mistrust of Satterfield’s loyalty. And not because those players lacked exciting alternatives.
More: MVP?Sleeper? Maximum versatility: a sneak peek of Louisville elegance in 2021 after the first day of signing
Tracker: Louisville Football sees 21 players for 2021 recruiting class
According Rivals. com, 20 of L’s 21 U signatories had several possible options among Power Five convention schools, with the defensive ending Victoine Brown attracting 32 Power Five offerings. Michael Gonzalez, an offensive version of Monroe, North Carolina, rejected either Ohio State and Harvard in favor of U of L – a seal of approval that belongs to billboards.
Rivals ranked Louisville’s recruiting elegance 25th overall at four o’clock on Wednesday afternoon, more than the venerable Penn State and Florida State, the undefeated Cincinnati and Coastal Carolina, and the neighbors of Kentucky and Indiana. Another website, 2four7sports, ranked Louisville’s elegance third nationally.
While hiring ratings are not reliable signs of long-term results, they say a lot about sales; in this case, Satterfield’s interest in South Carolina’s position would jeopardize his ability to attract players to Baseless Louisville.
Given the competitive/ferocious nature of school recruitment, rival schools would actually have tried to exploit the belief that Louisville’s head coach sought to leave, a belief Satterfield fueled with his clumsy comments last week. Upon his est distance, Satterfield stated that he was not required to perform one more hand grip in the final directly before signing day.
News: Scott Satterfield says Louisville football would possibly not be played in a bowling game
“We’ve had conversations with our recruits all the time,” he said. “And really, nothing has replaced with that. Our boys know we’re in Louisville and we’re trying to get our program to the top. “
“The dates we’ve been able to build with those guys are strong and they’re happy to be here. And that’s why we’re happy to bring them here too. “
The absence of last-minute drama is due, at least in part, to the limitations set by COVID-19. Remote recruitment would possibly not lend the most good negative murmur campaigns as well as face-to-face contacts. about pre-pandemic relationships.
Highly recruited high-school athletes probably have a greater understanding of the school football market than some of the sport’s most concerned fans. The most ambitious of them see school football as an apprenticeship than a career. The most considerate probably prefer a coach who is in call to someone else no one wants.
In addition, as the NCAA reduces its long-standing barriers to movements, the letter of intent is less restrictive than it was before. Next month, the NCAA is expected to pass a replacement rule that would give all Division I athletes the chance of a singles movement. with immediate eligibility for a new school.
So, if Scott Satterfield leaves, some of his players may follow him.
Also: Louisville coach Scott Satterfield apologizes to enthusiasts in a letter about South Carolina rumors
Tim Sullivan: 502-582-4650, tsullivan@courier-journal. com; Twitter: TimSullivan714