Louisville adds Tennessee LB Nick Okeke to 2017 class

Earlier this year National Signing Day came and went for Class of 2017 Smyrna, Tenn. linebacker Nick Okeke without a signed letter-of-intent. He passed on opportunities to play at the FCS level with a plan to go to prep school in the fall and re-classify as a 2018 recruit. That was still the plan until late last week, when Louisville defensive coordinator Peter Sirmon let Okeke know that he had a spot with the Cardinals for the 2017 season.

"I called Coach Sirmon to commit as a 2018 recruit and he told me that had some good news, too," Okeke said Tuesday. "He said they wanted me to come in July instead of going to prep school and that's when I said yes. I'm coming and I'm officially a Cardinal."

The moment was surreal for Okeke, who doesn't turn 18 until the fall has blossomed from a safety to an outside linebacker over the past 12 months. Now his dream of playing major college football is a reality.

"It’s crazy to think it's all happening," Okeke said. "I knew I had it in me I just needed the opportunity. I feel really blessed that it all worked out like it’s supposed to. It’s an amazing feeling to say that I'm going to Louisville."

Okeke visited Louisville earlier this year for a junior day and that's when he fell in love with the campus and really started to zero in on the school as his future destination.

"Everything was great from the facilities they have to the new stuff they have planned," Okeke said. "I got to spend a lot time with Coach Petrino just talking about everything and he was really cool and easy to connect with. That visit really sort of put them over the top for me."

Obviously his relationship with Louisville developed quickly, but Okeke said that had a lot to do with Sirmon, who has deep ties to the Nashville area from his days as a Tennessee Titans linebacker.

"Everyone in Nashville has good things to say about Coach Sirmon from the man he is to how he coaches," Okeke said. "He just seems like he would be the right coach for me to reach my goals. He just seems really cool and I could really talk to him and get the truth about everything and I like that plan he has laid out."

Okeke will head up to Louisville in July, just prior to the start off fall camp. He said he expects to hit the ground running.

"I’ll be playing outside linebacker, coming off the edge a little bit and dropping back in coverage sometimes too," Okeke said. "I feel like this summer I’m going to grind it out and come into Louisville at my peak and ready to make an impact."

Okeke has yet to sign a letter-of-intent with the Cardinals but said that is expected in the coming days. Louisville signed 22 players in the Class of 2017 and Okeke will become No. 23 when he signs or joins the team on scholarship later this year.