De’Antre Rhodes Ineligible? Other Louisville Football Notes

One of Charlie Strong’s top incoming recruits, four-star defensive tackle De’Antre Rhodes, appears to headed to junior college. The latest chatter says Rhodes, who went to Hargrave Military Academy this past year to get his grades in order, came up just short in terms of qualifying and will need another year before becoming eligible to play for the Cards.

This is a blow for the Cards, but not a knockout punch as some may speculate. Rhodes would easily be the most talented incoming defensive linemen on the line and perhaps even on the entire team in general. However, the Cards would still struggle up front and would need at least one more recruiting class before getting closer to adequate depth at that position.

The good news is, Rhodes will still have plenty of time to play. If he were eligible this year, he would have a full five years to play four. A year at a junior college will allow him to physically mature and assuming he remains with Louisville, he can step right in and play in 2011.

In regards to other eligibility situations, four/five-star safety Demar Dorsey’s status remains unclear. I had heard his academics were acceptable and his questionable past was the real concern. However, as more time passes without a resolution, it definitely makes me re-think that. Dorsey is a truly elite player on the field, but if the coaching staff is unsure how he will behave off the field and in the classroom, he may not be worth it.

Another player of concern is four-star quarterback Dominique Brown, perhaps the biggest piece to Charlie Strong’s first recruiting class. Brown’s eligibility is also unclear. The last word I received on Brown is he still has a shot to get qualified, but he may not make it to campus until fall semester. The original plan for Brown, as well as most incoming players, was to be enrolled by second summer semester, but that has not happened. It looks like we will just have to wait and see on this one.

I don’t want to end on a down note, so I would just like to say I am beyond pumped for football season. It’s the same kind of feeling I had going into Slick Rick’s first season for the basketball Cards. I know the team will take some lumps, but there will be a definite change in style and an energy in the stadium we have not seen in three years. And I love Charlie Strong.