CardinalSports.com breaks down TreSean's commitment to Louisville. What are the Cards getting in the three-star safety?
THE COMMITMENT: After visiting Louisville last Friday, Cincinnati (Ohio) La Salle safety TreSean Smith decided that it was time for him to commit to the Cardinals.
Louisville really kicked their recruitment of Smith into gear during the spring, especially after Smith impressed Louisville offensive line coach Chris Klenakis at Smith's spring practice.
Smith's relationship with the Louisville coaching staff helped lead him to his decision to pledge to Louisville, but his proximity to home might be the biggest factor. Smith loves the fact that his family will be able to see him play.
Things can change in recruiting for sure, but Smith says that he is locked in with the Cardinals and will not be considered any other schools.
FUTURE OF THE SAFETY POSITION AT LOUISVILLE: "Both TreSean Smith and Rodney Owens will find the safety position full of opportunities when they arrive in summer of 2017. Current strong safety Josh Harvey-Clemons will graduate after the upcoming 2016 season. Free safeties Chucky Williams (who started every game in 2016) and Terrence Ross will graduate in 2017. That leaves only Petrino signees Khane Pass, Dee Smith (who figures to be the starting nickelback for Louisville in 2016), Lamarques Thomas and PJ Blue to man all three spots going forward.
"Both Owens and Smith are physically big enough to play closer to the box so all three safety positions will be available to them without too much of an established starter ahead of them. Playing time will be there if they can earn it." -- Mark Ennis
ANALYST REACTION: "Smith plays for a Lasalle team that is defending back-to-back state titles this fall, so he knows how to win and players like that are always valuable for your program. We measured him at just over 6-foot-1 and 186 pounds at the Rivals Camp in Columbus last month, so he is ideally sized for the safety position.
"This fall I will be looking for him to improve his fluidity and change of direction, but he has a nose for the football and his size allows him to run the alleys and be an asset in run support." -- Rivals.com midwest analyst Josh Helmholdt
