Greenville lineman signs with Louisville

Published 12:00 am Tuesday, February 7, 2006

This year like any other year, some college football prospects rethink their pledge to play for a certain school for many different reasons.

Greenville High's 6-foot-7, 315-pound offensive tackle Josh Hawkins committed to play at Louisville University in December and stuck with his word on Wednesday when he signed a national letter of intent.

&#8220I never had any second-thoughts,” Hawkins said. &#8220When I went and visited there, it felt like a second home to me, and that's what drew me to Louisville.”

Hawkins picked Louisville after receiving scholarship offers from Oklahoma, LSU, Mississippi State, Arkansas and Kentucky.

&#8220He's a very good football player,” Cardinals head coach Bobby Petrino said during Wednesday's press conference. &#8220He's big and he can run. We're really excited about getting him.”

Hawkins became apart of a 24-man signing class that was ranked among the top 30 signing classes in the country by recruiting services Rivals.com and Scout.com. The Tiger tackle also is one of four players from the state of Alabama to sign with Louisville, including highly sought after 6-foot-6 wide receiver Deantwan &#8220Peanut” Whitehead from Birmingham's West End High.

&#8220I think it's going to be a good class,” Petrino said.

Hawkins, however, is one of three signees who will not enroll until next January. Hawkins said between now and when he enrolls at Louisville next year, he plans on spending most of his time in the weight room.

Petrino not only found the players to fill his needs, but believes his team has gotten bigger and faster. Louisville signed seven offensive linemen who were no shorter than 6-4 and weighed no less than 275 pounds.

&#8220That might be the biggest class I've every been associated with as far as height, weight and the thing I like most about it is that they all can move,” Petrino added. &#8220As you look at what we're playing in the difference between Conference USA and the Big East Conference is the physicalness of the offensive lines, the defensive line, the amount of run that you see as oppose to the spread passing game.”