Ohio kicker reponds to Louisville changes

Kicker Brandon Walker gave his verbal pledge to Bobby Petrino back in September to join the Cardinals. Then this week, the Findlay, Ohio prospect found out Petrino was leaving Louisville to take over the head job for the Atlanta Falcons. What is the 6-foot-2, 190-pounder's future plans now?

"I know a lot of people may hold a grudge towards coach Petrino, but he is following his dream and I understand that. I can't hold that against him," he said. "I think Louisville got a good guy to replace him in Kragthorpe and the program appears to be back on track."

Walker found out about Petrino's departure from some friends.

"I was actually watching movies and got a text message from a buddy of mine to check out the computer," he said. "After that, I spoke to some players on the team including Eric Wood and Brinson Harley. They were keeping me up to date and wanted me to stay committed. I liked that about the players there, it's all about loyalty.

"Then the next day I talked to Tom McMahon and my parents talked to Reggie Johnson. Coach McMahon told me that he is leaving for the Falcons, but Johnson stated he's staying behind. Both coaches weren't sure what will happen next, but they expect me to meet with coach Kragthorpe soon and told me if I have any questions to stay in touch."

The big question now is whether Walker is still committed to Louisville.

"I would consider myself a Louisville commitment," he said. "I'd love to be a Cardinal. Coach Kragthorpe comes from a football family and I saw the press conference. He looks like he knows what he'll do and I put my trust in him."

Though the two-star prospect gave Kragthorpe a vote of confidence, he doesn't appear to be a lock quite yet.

"I still have to look at the other field too," he said. "Pittsburgh and Michigan State have been in touch. I'm going to play it by ear and wait until I hear from the new staff and then I'll go from there. However my family does believe in sticking by your word and I want to tell the other recruits to be patient too."