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1.) Samardo Samuels – Men’s Basketball – Newark, N.J.
Samuels is the big man expected to fill the big void left by the graduation of center David Padgett. He was named the 2008 USA Today National Player of the Year and should start for the Cardinals from day one. His ability to finish under the basket and shot blocking ability separate him from the competition.
2.) Monique Reid – Women’s Basketball – Louisville, Ky.
Reid is the gem of Louisville head coach Jeff Walz’ first signing class. The local talent averaged 31.6
PPG, 19.2 RPG, 3.5 BPG, 2.1 SPG while shooting 56 percent from the field. The 6-foot-1 guard should compliment senior to be Angel McCoughtry and help lead the preseason top-10 Cardinals toward a deep NCAA tournament run.
3.) Mike Nastold – Baseball – Cincinnati, Ohio
The signing of Nastold shows just how much the Louisville baseball program has grown. The 6-foot-4 RHP is rated the No. 1 prospect in Ohio and No. 92 nationally. He struck out 94 batters in 67 innings of work in a junior campaign in which he went 7-4 with a 1.20 ERA for Elder High School.
4.) Ashley Audd – Women’s Soccer – Noblesville, Ind.
The Gatorade Indiana Player of the Year finished her senior season with 16 goals and 11 assists. She was recognized for her efforts with a first team all-state selection. The four year letterman at forward finished her career with 44 goals and 28 assists.
5.) Mario Benavides – Football – Los Fresnos, Texas.
Unlike most freshman, Benavides has been on campus all spring. The 6-foot-4 285 lb. offensive guard has gone through spring drills with the upperclassmen. He has shown skill on the field as well as in the weight room where he is listed by Rivals as bench pressing 385 lbs. and squatting 525 lbs. He appears prime to replace senior to be and All Big-East performer Eric Wood at center next season.
6.) Renee Tomko – Volleyball – Jefferson Hills, Pa.
The 5-foot-10 setter will join the nationally ranked volleyball team. Tomko, who hails from Jefferson Hills, Pa., was named all-state both her junior and senior year. She should look for substantial playing time with the graduation of senior setter Elena Pilnikova. U of L head coach Leonid Yelin refers to Tomko as the “total package.”
7.) Colin Rolfe – Men’s Soccer – Canton, Mich.
Rolfe netted 26 goals and distributed 22 assists in his senior season at Plymouth High School. The Michigan State ODP competitor played club soccer for the Michigan Wolves Soccer Club, who won the past Michigan State Cup Championship. Rolfe was named first team all-state in both his junior and senior campaign.
8.) Brooke Campbell – Lacrosse – Berwyn, Pa.
Campbell was an Honorable Mention All-American and received a U-19 U.S. National Team tryout in 2006. The attacker is know for her ability to put the ball in the net. “We are hoping to add to her understanding of both the overall game and her prospects as a finisher to help build one of the fiercest scorers in Division I lacrosse,” said U of L head coach Kellie Young
9.) Jacques Caldwell – Track and Field/Football – Garland, Texas.
Caldwell was brought to Louisville under a track scholarship to be a two-sport star. He will use his blazing speed as a cornerback on the football squad and to run sprints for track and field. The all-state sprinter has posted times of 21.08 in the 200m and 10.55 in the 100m.
10.) Lacey Bobo – Women’s Swimming – Pflugerville, Texas.
Bobo is a very versatile swimmer competing in sprints, free, butterfly and backstroke. She has been a member of the Texas Gold Swimming Team where she competes in the swimming-rich state of Texas. She was a 2007 USA Spring Senior National
