Louisville Football Adds Third Commitment After Massive Recruiting Weekend, Lands 4-Star In-State Talent Josiah Hope
June 3, 2025 — Louisville, KY
The Louisville Cardinals have reaped the early rewards of their massive recruiting weekend, securing their third commitment in just a few days. The latest pledge came from a significant in-state prospect, Josiah Hope, who announced his commitment to Louisville on Sunday afternoon.
Hope, a standout defensive back from Lexington, Kentucky, is considered a four-star recruit and ranks as the fourth-best player in the state of Kentucky for the 2026 recruiting class, according to multiple recruiting services. His decision marks a major win for head coach Jeff Brohm and his staff, who have made a concerted effort to keep elite local talent within state lines.
The 6-foot-1, 185-pound Hope chose Louisville over offers from Kentucky, Michigan State, Purdue, and West Virginia. His commitment adds to what is shaping up to be one of the more impressive early hauls in the ACC. Known for his high football IQ, fluid coverage skills, and physical style of play, Hope projects as a versatile piece in Louisville’s defensive backfield.
“I felt the love all weekend,” Hope said in a social media post announcing his decision. “The coaches made me feel like family. I can see myself thriving at Louisville on and off the field.”
Hope’s commitment follows a highly publicized weekend that saw dozens of top-tier recruits descend on Louisville’s campus for what has been described as a program-defining recruiting event. The university rolled out the red carpet for high school prospects from around the country, giving them a firsthand look at the program’s facilities, staff, and future direction.
Earlier in the weekend, Louisville had already landed two other commitments, whose names are expected to be revealed in the coming days. With Hope’s addition, the Cardinals now hold three verbal commitments from the event, solidifying what has been a momentum-building stretch for the program.
Coach Brohm, entering his third season at the helm, emphasized the importance of establishing strong recruiting pipelines, especially within the state of Kentucky.
“We want to be the first choice for elite talent in this state,” Brohm said during a recent press conference. “When young men like Josiah choose to stay home and represent Louisville, it speaks volumes about the culture we’re building.”
Hope’s commitment also signifies a direct recruiting victory over in-state rival Kentucky, a team that had been actively pursuing the talented cornerback. While Kentucky has dominated in-state recruiting in recent years, Louisville’s staff appears to be closing the gap, particularly under Brohm’s leadership and with a reinvigorated approach to talent development and community engagement.
Recruiting analysts around the country have taken note of Louisville’s recent surge. 247Sports recruiting analyst Brian Dohn noted that Louisville “sent a loud message this weekend—not just to players, but to programs across the region—that they’re ready to compete at the highest level.”
With the 2026 class still in its early stages, Louisville’s recruiting momentum is expected to continue in the weeks ahead. The Cardinals have multiple high-profile targets still on their board, and this successful weekend may very well serve as a catalyst for more announcements in the near future.
As for Josiah Hope, his pledge to the Cardinals is more than just a recruiting win—it’s a statement that the top talent in Kentucky doesn’t need to leave the state to compete on a national level.
And for Louisville fans, it’s yet another sign that the Brohm era is ushering in a new chapter of high expectations and even higher aspirations.