When it comes to recruiting, the Louisville football coaching staff stays busy year-round trying to identify some of the nations most talented prospects as well as build relationships with these prospects in hopes of landing their commitment. Coaches like Cort Dennison, Stephen Field, and Pete Nochta are just a few that play a major role in the recruiting process for the Cardinals, and while they have done an excellent job, it's always nice to have a little extra help. That is where Louisville commit Robert Hicks comes in.

"[He is] very well connected and respected within the south Florida area high school football scene" said an unnamed source with knowledge of the situation, "He's like the governor down here."

Projected to play middle linebacker at Louisville, Hicks naturally possesses characteristics that not only helps him on the field, but as a recruiter as well.

"He's the type of guy who leads and has everyone else following right behind him." the source added, "As a person, he's a great kid. [He is] very respectful and gets the job done in the classroom. He is planning to be a midyear graduate."

While these attributes of the 3-star linebacker from Miami, FL make Hicks someone that others gravitate towards, what may be most telling is the reason he plays the game.

"[Robert Hicks] loves football." the source went on to say, "The game means something to him because he knows he can take care of his family later in life and get them out of their living situation now if he succeeds on the football field. He plays with a chip on his shoulder. People won't mess with the kid."

So who exactly is Robert Hicks trying to get to join him at Louisville? That would be fellow Miami Central stars Chandler Jones and James Cook. The latter, a 5-star running back and younger brother of former Florida St. star Dalvin Cook, is expected to be accompanied by Hicks to Louisville's "Light up the Ville" recruiting event this Friday. The 4-star Jones wrapped up a visit to Louisville this past weekend and has the Cards seemingly on top of his list of teams as he closes in on a decision.

"I'm in their head every day" Hicks said while adding that he feels like Louisville has a very good chance with both highly touted prospects. This sentiment was also echoed by Jones himself.

"Almost every day [Hicks is] trying to bring up Louisville in any way. We would be doing something as little as eating together and he would say something like we could be doing this in the Ville", said Jones.

While the addition of Cook and/or Jones to Louisville's 2018 recruiting class would be huge, to say the least, Cardinal fans can rest assured knowing that they already have at least one player committed in the class who possesses a unique combination of talent, leadership, and great character.

It's icing on the cake to know that Robert Hicks likely isn't done helping the Cardinal's 2018 recruiting efforts either.