Priority 2021 target Ben Perry commits to Louisville.

Ben Perry has been a focal point for the Louisville defensive staff since January. Today they got their man in the versatile athlete from Chicago. The plan for him is to play the "Card" position in Louisville's defense which functions as a hybrid box safety/outside linebacker.

Perry's pledge to Louisville is a big win over a Minnesota program who has been on fire lately and currently sits at eighth in the rivals national rankings with 16 commits. Linebackers coach and assistant defensive coordinator Cort Dennison, who Perry called, "An up and coming coach" was Perry's primary recruiter but it was Scott Satterfield's message that closed the deal.

"I see Satterfield’s vision. Win the ACC. Powerhouse offense with a powerhouse Defense. They just need players with good character to do it," proclaimed Perry.

Minnesota emerged as a contender for Perry's pledge about a month ago and Michigan State also turned up the heat recently but Louisville was able to hold off the Gophers and the Spartans. In a recent interview with Josh Helmholdt the Midwest analyst for Rivals, Perry said he was going to wait until campuses re-opened but decided the time to make a decision had come.

“A lot of people are committing – more than usual. I think the best decision for me is to… safely secure where I want to go, instead of waiting. That would be the smart thing to do,” explained Perry.

Right after he announced his commitment to Louisville I asked him if he still plans to take official visits and he said yes.

Louisville will have to keep recruiting Perry throughout the cycle as Michigan State and Minnesota won't stop trying to flip him and other schools will enter the mix once they miss on other targets.