Cardinal Football Announces 2000 Recruiting Class

February 2, 2000

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - University of Louisville head football coach John L. Smith announced this afternoon the following 22 student-athletes have signed National Letters of Intent to continue their educations and play football for the Cardinals.

This year's class is made up of 18 true freshmen-to-be and four junior college additions. This signing class joins three mid-year transfers -- Bobby Leffew of Boyle County (Ky.) High School, Michael Bowers of Butler (Kan.) Junior College and Robert Redd of Bowling Green (OH) State University -- already enrolled at U of L as newcomers to the Cardinals.

"I'm very proud of our staff and the work they've done over the past year recruiting these young men," said head coach John L. Smith. "Once again, we were very specific filling gaps in our program. This group is very athletic and should provide our fans with plenty of highlights over the next four or five years."

The Cardinals are coming off its second consecutive 7-5 campaign while taking part in back-to-back bowl games for the first time in school history.

Bios can be found below.

Name                Pos.  Ht.  Wt.  Hometown (High School/Junior College)Buster Ashley      OL/DL  6-4  280  Owensboro, Ky. (Owensboro H.S.)*Michael Bowers      OL   6-4  295  Kansas City, Mo. (Butler (KS) JC)Ray Childs         RB/DB  6-0  185  Bloomfield, Ky. (Nelson County H.S.)Koby Clark           DL   6-5  260  Miami, Fla. (West Hills (CA) College)Josh Cozart          TE   6-4  260  Marion, Ky. (Crittenden County H.S.)Laroni Gallishaw   RB/DB  6-0  190  Lakeland, Fla. (Lakeland H.S.)Antoine Harris       WR   5-10 165  Columbus, Ohio (Bishop Ready H.S.)J.T. Haskins       WR/DB  5-10 160  Lexington, Ky. (Bryan Station H.S.)Antonio Hill         WR   6-2  185  Ellenwood, Ga. (Stockbridge H.S.)Jonathan Jackerson WR/DB  6-2  200  Fairfield, Ala. (Fairfield H.S.)Johnny Jackson       DE   6-5  230  Aliceville, Ala. (Aliceville H.S.)Tiger Jones        WR/DB  5-11 170  Mobile, Ala. (St. Paul's H.S.)Marcus Jones         DE   6-2  215  Alachua, Fla. (Santa Fe H.S.)*Bobby Leffew      LB/TE  6-4  215  Danville, Ky. (Boyle County H.S.)Chris Lester         RB   6-2  220  Miami, Fla. (Hancock (CA) College)Jesse McGowan      RB/DB  6-1  200  Sturgess, Ky. (Union County)Brandon Milone       DL   6-5  230  Helena, Mt. (Capital H.S.)Willie Northern      WR   6-1  185  Quincy, Fla. (San Francisco City College)*Robert Redd         WR   5-10 195  Dayton, Ohio (Bowling Green State Univ.)Kerry Rhodes         QB   6-4  180  Bessemer, Ala. (Lanier H.S.)Ed Robinson        DL/TE  6-4  220  Louisville, Ky. (Fairdale H.S.)Tyrone Saterfield  OL/DL  6-2  305  Milton, Fla. (Milton H.S.)Brad Shushman      QB/ATH 6-0  175  St. Joseph, (Mich. St. Joe H.S.)Pat Woodall          OL   6-4  290  Leeds, Ala. (Leeds H.S.)Jonta' Woodard       OL   6-5  320  Stockton, Calif. (San Joaquin (CA) Delta Col.)
* - denotes mid-year addition. Student-athlete is enrolled at U of L and    eligible to participate in spring practice

2000 U of L Signees

Buster Ashley
OL/DL * 6-4 * 280
Owensboro, Ky. (Owensboro)

First-team all-state selection by the Louisville Courier-Journal ... named among 21 others as the Lexington Herald-Leader's Class of the Commonwealth ... three-year starter who helped Owensboro to AAA championship game ... suffered a fractured ankle in week two of senior season, missed six weeks and returned to finish campaign ... recorded 35 solo stops including six sacks ... recovered a pair of fumbles, blocked three punts and recorded seven tackles for loss ... legal first name is Clyde ... selected U of L over Virginia Tech and Arkansas.

Michael Bowers
OL * 6-4 * 295
Kansas City, Mo. (Butler (KS) JC)

Helped Butler JC to a 23-1 combined record over the past two seasons ... an all-Jayhawk Conference choice in 1999 ... opened holes for RB Rudy Johnson who registered more than 2,600 yards on the ground in '99 ... protected a 2,000-yard passer as well ... two-year letterman at Shawnee Mission North High School ... played on both the offensive and defensive line ... all-city and all-Sunflower League selection as a senior ... selected U of L over SW Louisiana and Connecticut ... already enrolled at U of L and will participate in spring drills.

Ray Childs
RB/DB * 6-0 * 185
Bloomfield, Ky. (Nelson County)

Second-team all-Kentucky choice by the Louisville Courier- Journal ... two-way performer at Nelson County ... guided the Cardinals to a 10-2 record and a state playoff appearance ... rushed for 1,815 yards and 23 scores ... averaged 12.7 yards per carry ... caught 15 passes as a senior for 212 yards and two TDs ... picked off six passes in '99, returning a pair for scores ... four-year letterman on the gridiron for NCHS ... gained 1,205 yards and scored 20 touchdowns as a junior, leading NCHS to the 4A state semifinals ... made 45 tackles and recorded three interceptions as a junior ... split time in the backfield as a sophomore gaining 642 yards ... full-time as a defender with 34 tackles and six INT as a sophomore ... National Honor Society member and an Honor Roll student ... listed by Who's Who Among American High School Students ... three-year member of the track team ... five-year member of the varsity hoops team playing with the varsity as an eighth grader ... chose U of L over Eastern Kentucky and Cincinnati.

Koby Clark
DL * 6-5 * 260
Miami, Fla. (West Hills (CA) College)

An all-Valley Conference honoree for West Hills in '99 ... led all WHC defensive linemen with 42 tackles ... recorded 15 tackles for loss with five quarterback sacks ... forced a pair of fumbles ... intercepted a pass and returned it 20 yards for a score in 1999 ... helped WHC to a 13-8 mark over his two seasons including a pair of post-season bowl appearances ... lettered twice at Miami's Miramar High School ... an all-Broward County selection by the Miami Herald as a senior ... helped Miramar advance to the third round of the 6A playoffs as a senior ... two-year member of the track squad running the 400m ... selected U of L over Rutgers and San Jose State.

Josh Cozart
TE/DE * 6-4 * 260
Marion, Ky. (Crittenden County)

A third-team all-state selection at linebacker by Louisville Courier-Journal ... two-year starter on both sides of the football ... 115 total tackles as a senior including 68 solos ... six tackles for loss, three fumble recoveries and a pair of interceptions in 1999 ... caught 10 passes for 121 yards and four touchdowns as a senior at the tight end position ... helped Crittenden County to a 21-4 overall mark over the past two seasons including a pair of state playoff berths ... 119 tackles as a junior including 84 solos stops ... forced a pair of fumbles in '98, recovering another ... caught nine passes for a 22.8 yard average ... selected the Cardinals over Western Kentucky.

Laroni Gallishaw
RB/DB * 6-0 * 190
Lakeland, Fla. (Lakeland)

Three-year letterwinner for the Dreadnaughts ... scored 21 touchdowns as a senior leading Lakeland to the 5A state title with a 15-0 record ... ran for 87 yards and a pair of TDs in state championship win ... prep team finished season as USA Today's No. 6 team in the Super 25 ... ran for more than 1,200 yards and 18 touchdowns as a junior ... first-team all-state choice by Tampa Tribune and Lakeland Ledger ... all-conference and all-area selection as a senior ... three-year participant in track running the 4X100, 100 and 200 sprints ... advanced to the state semifinals in the 4X100 and 100 a year ago ... voted most versatile player by his teammates ... chose U of L over Bethune-Cookman and Western Kentucky.

Antoine Harris
WR * 5-10 * 165
Columbus, Ohio (Bishop Ready)

First-team all-Ohio Division IV choice by the Associated Press ... all-Columbus Dispatch selection ... caught 46 passes as a senior for 1,057 yards ... accounted for 2,311 all-purpose yards in his final prep campaign (734 rush, 520 returns) ... averaged more than 16 yards per reception over his junior and senior seasons ... caught 51 balls for 722 yards and eight scores as a junior ... two-year letterman who began playing prep football as a junior ... nominated to play in Ohio's North/South All-Star Game ... player of the year in the Columbus Catholic League as a senior ... fine all-around basketball player averaging 10.5 points, nine assists and four rebounds per game this season ... chose the Cardinals over Illinois, Bowling Green and Cincinnati.

J.T. Haskins
WR/DB * 5-10 * 160
Lexington, Ky. (Bryan Station)

First-team all-state selection by the Louisville Courier -Journal as a defensive back in 1999 ... named among 21 others as the Lexington Herald-Leader's Class of the Commonwealth ... played both ways doubling as the team's QB ... helped Bryan Station to a AAAA championship game berth ... a four-year starter at quarterback ... intercepted six passes as a senior and was the team's third-leading tackler ... picked off 15 passes in his career, returning five for scores ... offensively, he ran for 1,610 yards and 22 touchdowns while throwing for 1,092 yards ... passed for 13 TDs as a senior ... posted 1,955 yards of total offense as a junior ... J.T. stands for John Thomas ... four-year member of the BSHS track and field team ... his 4X100 relay team finished third at the '99 state championships ... selected Louisville over Marshall, Minnesota and Cincinnati.

Antonio Hill
WR * 6-2 * 185
Ellenwood, Ga. (Stockbridge H.S.)

Two-year letterwinner at Stockbridge High ... first-team all-state choice as a senior ... solid all-around performer for the Tigers ... caught 57 passes for 886 yards and nine touchdowns as a senior ... ran for another 297 yards and passed for 300 more ... intercepted two passes and recorded 22 tackles in '99 ... returned punts and kickoffs as a prep player ... averaged better than 12 yards per punt return as a senior ... nominated for the Florida / Georgia All-Star Game this summer ... an all-Southern Conference selection ... 26 catches for 434 yards and five scores as a junior ... four-year letterwinner in basketball and a three-year participant in baseball ... topped Stockbridge in stolen bases a year ago ... plans on running track as a senior.

Jonathan Jackerson
WR/DB * 6-2 * 200
Fairfield, Ala. (Fairfield)

First-team all-5A choice by Birmingham News ... earned identical honor from the Alabama Sportswriters Association ... played quarterback, wide receiver, tight end, safety and punter as a senior ... caught 26 passes for nine touchdowns ... threw for three scores ... averaged 42.0 yards per punt ... all-state performer as a junior ... two-time letterwinner on the gridiron ... recorded 55 tackles and three interceptions as a free and strong safety for Fairfield High ... averages more than 16 points a game on the hardwood ... four-year competitor in basketball ... took part in the '99 Alabama State Track and Field Finals competing in the 110M hurdles despite running track for the first time ... selected U of L over Virginia Tech and Troy State.

Johnny Jackson
DE * 6-5 * 230
Aliceville, Ala. (Aliceville)

First-team all 3A choice at linebacker by the Birmingham News ... three-year starter who helped Aliceville to a pair of state semifinal berths with back-to-back 11-2 records in '98 and '99 ... 130 tackles including 15 for loss as a senior earning all-state and all-county laurels ... caught one pass as a senior which resulted in a TD ... 111 tackles including six sacks as a junior ... honorable mention all-state and all-county choice as a junior ... two-year letterman on the hardwood averaging 15 points, 10 rebounds and a pair of blocked shots ... career as a starter started in fourth game of sophomore season ... led Aliceville to a 3A state title in '97 ... chose the Cardinals over Auburn and Southern Miss.

Marcus Jones
DE * 6-2 * 215
Alachua, Fla. (Santa Fe)

Three-time letterwinner for Santa Fe High School on the gridiron ... first-team all-3A selection as a senior ... recorded 122 tackles and nine sacks in '99 ... also recovered a pair of fumbles ... helped Santa Fe to a 10-3 mark advancing to the third round of the Florida State Playoffs ... played both ways as a senior starting at quick tackle on offense ... an all-area choice following the '99 season ... registered 89 stops with five sacks as a junior also seeing time as a tight end in short yardage situations ... honorable mention all-area as a junior again helping SFHS to the third round of the state playoffs ... two-year letterwinner on the hardwood ... selected Louisville over Iowa State, Connecticut, Central Florida and Tennessee State.

Tiger Jones
WR/DB * 5-11 * 170
Mobile, Ala. (St. Paul's)

First-team all-Southern Region selection at defensive back and a honorable mention all-state choice on the 4A level ... two-time most valuable offensive player for St. Paul's ... four-year letterwinner catching 67 passes in his career ... totaled seven interceptions, 18 pass breakups and three blocked kicks as a senior ... knocked away 40 passes during prep career ... all-state honoree in track (4X400) as a freshman ... received 166 kicks in his high school career without a muff or fumble ... accounted for 1,223 all-purpose yards as a senior, scoring 14 touchdowns ... named most outstanding receiver at Florida and Auburn football camps during the summer of '99 ... helped St. Paul's to a 22-4 record over the past two seasons with back-to-back trips to the state playoffs ... full name is Anthony Keith Jones II ... took unofficial visits to Florida State, Alabama and Auburn.

Bobby Leffew
LB/TE * 6-4 * 215
Danville, Ky. (Boyle County)

Rated as the seventh-best prospect in the state of Kentucky by Superprep ... First-team all-state choice by the Louisville Courier-Journal at linebacker ... honorable mention all-USA Today All-America choice ... named among 21 others as the Lexington Herald-Leader's Class of the Commonwealth ... recorded 232 total tackles as a senior leading Boyle County to a 15-0 mark and a state title ... intercepted five passes and recovered a pair of fumbles in '99 ... second-team all-state choice as a junior in 1997 but missed '98 season after a serious ankle injury forced him to miss nine weeks of school ... granted an extra semester of eligibility by KHSAA while he finished his studies ... caught 39 passes for 690 yards and 18 touchdowns as a tight end in '99 ... already enrolled at U of L and will take part in spring practice.

Chris Lester
RB * 6-2 * 220
Miami, Fla. (Hancock (CA) College)

Rushed for 1,090 yards on 171 carries in a rotating backfield for Hancock College ... named an all-Western States Conference honoree ... all-Region III selection ... Gridwire honorable mention All-America choice ... rushed for 198 yards in the California JC state title game ... ran for 560 yards as a freshman at Hancock ... older brother Tim was a standout at Eastern Kentucky and played professionally with the Los Angeles Rams and Pittsburgh Steelers ... older brother Fred spent three years in NFL with Jets, Bucs and Falcons ... primarily a blocking back at Miami's Southridge High School ... ran for 400 yards out of a wing-T alignment ... earned a pair of letters in his prep days on the gridiron ... selected U of L over Missouri and Texas A&M.

Jesse McGowan
RB/DB * 6-1 * 200
Sturgis, Ky. (Union County)

Four-year member and three-time letter winner for Union County ... two-year starter at running back before moving to quarterback in '99 ... honorable mention all-state choice by Louisville Courier-Journal ... rushed for 450 yards and threw for nearly 700 as a senior ... eight rushing and passing TD in 1999 ... recorded 59 tackles including six for loss as a linebacker last season ... rushed for 1,112 yards and 21 touchdowns as a junior ... caught 18 passes out of the backfield resulting in seven scores ... intercepted three passes to go with 73 tackles as a junior ... helped Union County for four consecutive trips to the Kentucky State Playoffs ... registered more than 800 all-purpose yards as a sophomore ... scored five rushing and seven receiving TDs in 1997 ... selected U of L over Indiana, Western Kentucky and Murray State.

Brandon Milone
DL * 6-5 * 230
Helena, Mt. (Capital)

Honorable mention all-USA selection by USA Today as a linebacker ... four-year letterwinner at Capital High ... starter at tight end and defensive end ... named Western Conference most valuable player following his senior season ... helped Capital to a 12-0 record and AA state title in 1999 ... recorded 15 sacks as a senior to go with three fumble recoveries and six pass breakups ... all-state and all-conference choice as a junior ... honorable mention all-league selection as a sophomore ... earned three letters in basketball ... averaged 12 points and 10 rebounds ... member of the track and field squad participating in the long jump and triple jump ... chose U of L over Colorado State, Wyoming, Washington State and Utah State.

Willie Northern
WR * 6-1 * 185
Quincy, Fla. (San Francisco City College)

Recorded 40 catches for 600 yards and six touchdowns at SFCC in '99 ... opened collegiate football career redshirting at Auburn in 1998 ... a SuperPrep All-America choice as a senior at Shanks High School ... rated the No. 6 receiver in the nation by SuperPrep in 1997 ... two-time all-Florida selection ... caught 43 passes for 940 yards and 13 touchdowns despite playing just eight games as a senior ... 30 catches for more than 600 yards and six scores as a junior ... three-year starter on both sides of the football ... made 70 tackles with five interceptions as a safety in '96 ... also lettered in track and basketball ... Florida Times Union Top 60 and Super 75 choice ... rated by SuperPrep as the fourth-best player in the state of Florida ... selected U of L over California and Washington State.

Robert Redd
WR * 5-10 * 195
Dayton, Ohio (Bowling Green (OH) State University)

Transferred to U of L after the fall semester and will begin practicing in Spring of 2000 ... must sit out the 2000 season due to NCAA transfer rules ... two-year letterwinner at BGSU ... caught 39 passes for 552 yards and a team-high six scores in 1999 ... returned 24 punts for a 5.3 yard average ... caught 17 passes as a freshman for an 18.6 yard average ... threw a 45-yard TD pass as well ... finished seventh in the Mid-American Conference in punt returns in '98 ... four-year letterman at Wayne High School ... led the state of Ohio with 75 catches as a senior for 1,095 yards and 17 touchdowns ... returned a punt and kickoff for a score as a senior ... team MVP and second-team all-state honoree ... co-Offensive Player of the Year by the Dayton Daily News ... teamed with current Cardinal Dave Ragone on the Ohio team in the annual Big 33 game vs. Pennsylvania all-stars.

Kerry Rhodes
QB * 6-4 * 180
Bessemer, Ala. (Lanier)

Three-year starter at Lanier High ... threw for more than 1,600 yards and ran for another 850 in his senior season ... scored seven touchdowns on the ground while throwing for 13 scores in 1999 ... two-time all-Metro choice by The Birmingham News ... honorable mention all-state performer as a senior ... broke up seven passes and intercepted a pair in '99 ... guided Lanier to a 9-2 record as a junior throwing for more than 1,500 yards and 15 scores ... rushed for 500 yards and hit paydirt three times in '98 ... second-team all-6A performer in basketball a year ago ... currently averaging more than 20 points and handing out nine assists per game on the hardwood ... helped Lanier to a Sweet 16 finish in hoops as a junior ... honor roll student ... selected U of L over Southern Miss and Arkansas.

Ed Robinson
DL/TE * 6-4 * 220
Louisville, Ky. (Fairdale)

Second-team all-state choice by Louisville Courier-Journal ... four-year letterwinner as a defensive end and tight end ... 112 tackles including 36 behind the line of scrimmage as a senior ... eight sacks with a pair of interceptions in '99 ... caught 10 passes for 280 yards and four scores in his final prep campaign ... honorable mention all-state choice on the gridiron as a junior after recording 108 tackles ... all-district choice as well with eight sacks and 21 tackles for loss in '98 ... 10 receptions for 250 yards and one score as a junior ... honorable mention all-state performer on the hardwood as well ... currently averaging 13.4 points and 10.5 rebounds per game ... 14 double-doubles in first 21 games of '99-00 ... three-year letterman in hoops ... attended same high school as former U of L letterwinner and NFL draftee Leland Taylor ... chose U of L over Minnesota, Eastern Kentucky, Western Kentucky, and Tennessee State.

Tyrone Saterfield
OL/DL * 6-2 *305
Milton, Fla. (Milton)

Three-year letterwinner for Milton High School ... played defense for the first time as a senior and responded with a third-team all-3A season ... first-team all Northwest Florida selection ... made 80 tackles including 19 for loss as Milton posted an 8-4 mark and advanced to the second round of the Florida State Playoffs ... rated among the top 30 defensive tackles by Border Wars ... forced one fumble and registered five sacks ... played tight end as a junior earning honorable mention all-district honors ... caught 15 passes for 300 yards and three scores ... member of the Milton weightlifting team, finished 10th as an individual at the '98-99 state championships ... selected Louisville over Oklahoma State and Troy State.

Brad Shushman
QB/ATH * 6-0 * 175
St. Joseph, Mich. (St. Joe)

Two-year letterwinner as a quarterback and placekicker at St. Joe H.S. ... completed 36 of 81 passes for 801 yards and eight scores as a senior ... ran for another 284 yards as St. Joe advanced to the first round of the Michigan State Playoffs ... converted seven of eight field goals as a senior with a long of 46 ... 25 of 26 on extra-point tries ... Associated Press first-team all-state honoree ... twice named to the All-Big 8 first team as a placekicker ... member of the South Bend Tribune Dream team in 1999 ... added second team all-league honors at QB as a senior ... four of five field goals and 27 of 28 PAT as a junior ... saw time as a nickel back in '98 registering three interceptions and 12 tackles ... promoted to the varsity as a sophomore in time for '97 playoffs ... drilled two of three field goals and nine of 10 PAT as St. Joe advanced to the state semis ... three-year letterman in basketball ... all-Big 8 in baseball as an outfielder, hitting .420 as a junior ... member of the Student Senate ... active in many charitable causes ... veteran of five off-season kicking camps.

Pat Woodall
OL * 6-4 * 295
Leeds, Ala. (Leeds)

Class 4A all-state selection by The Birmingham News ... all-state choice by the Alabama Sportswriters Association .... helped Leeds to three consecutive playoff appearances ... two-time all-area and all-metro selection ... honorable mention all-state honoree as a junior by The Birmingham News ... two-way starter as a junior and senior playing offensive and defensive tackle ... sectional discus champion as a freshman ... chose U of L over Southern Miss, South Carolina and Auburn.

Jonta' Woodard
OL * 6-5 * 320
Stockton, Calif. (San Joaquin (CA) Delta College)

First-team All-America choice by the California Community College Football Coaches ... Gridwire honorable mention All-America selection ... voted most valuable offensive lineman at SJDC ... protected a 3,000-yard passer and opened holes for an 800-yard rusher in 1999 ... all-San Joaquin Athletic Association choice as a senior at Lincoln High School ... did not play as a junior ... selected U of L over San Diego State, Wyoming and New Mexico State.

University of Louisville Athletics

2000 U of L Signees

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