Gridders Bolster Offensive Line With Contreras
January 16, 2002 | Football
Jan. 16, 2002
Looking to bolster an offensive line which lost three starters to graduation, head football coach John L. Smith announced that Edrik Contreras from Palomar Community College in San Marcos, Calif., has signed a National Letter of Intent to continue his education and collegiate football career at the University of Louisville.
A 6-1, 310-pound offensive lineman from Vista, Calif., Contreras will take classes at U of L and participate in team drills during the spring semester. Contreras, who attended San Jose State out of high school, played only one season at Palomar CC and will have three seasons of eligibility with the Cards.
Under the tutelage of head coach Tom Craft at Palomar CC, Contreras earned First Team All-Mission Conference honors after leading a 10-2 team to the state championship game.
"I'm excited about coming to a big-time program like Louisville," Contreras said. "I was impressed with the facilities and the national exposure the team received this season."
Offensive line coach Art Valero believes Contreras is a solid addition to his line.
"Edrik is a very mature kid who gives us strength up front. He has also been with an offense which is very similar to ours, so he should be fairly familiar with our system," Valero said. "This young man has a chance to be a very good player here and having him come in as a sophomore gives that class a chance to be something special."
