Four-star Cincinnati safety Nilijah Ballew committed to the University of Louisville on Sunday, becoming the Cardinals’ ninth pledge in 2014. The 6-foot-2, 195-pound player from Walnut Hills High School spoke with The Courier-Journal about his decision.
Why did you feel Louisville was the right decision for you?
This has been a great day for me. Over the last few months, I’ve developed a great relationship with the coaches. I’ve talked to coach (Charlie) Strong and (primary recruiter) coach (Shawn) Watson numerous times, and I’ve talked to Calvin Pryor, one of their top safeties. Every time I go down there, I fall more in love with it, and I feel like they’re on the rise. They could be competing for a national championship in the next two or three years. I feel extremely confident about them, and I just want to be a part of it. They’re one of those teams that started from the bottom, and they’re rising to the top. Last season said a lot about that, and I just want to be a part of it.
What does that mean to you that they are coming off winning the Sugar Bowl, moving to the Atlantic Coast Conference and could start preseason top 10, if not higher, this coming year? What does that say about where their program is right now?
It’s definitely exciting. It shows what they’re about, that it’s no joke and they’re not playing around. They’re really trying to become one of the teams that other teams fear in the country, trying to become one of the cream of the crop. Their program is evolving. All the sports programs at Louisville are doing well. Football is making it to the top, and I like that determination and their persistence to try to get their players in. They’re going to the ACC, which is a really good conference, better competition, and it’s just great. I really love what’s going on down there.
What did Calvin Pryor say to you?
We talked a few times, just talked about Louisville, what he loves about and talked school and what he’s majoring in. And he told me to just enjoy this recruiting process, but when it comes down to it, it’s solely your decision. He said, ‘I had to make this decision,’ and it turned out (committing to Louisville) was one of the best decisions of his life. I just wanted to experience that, too. I think it’ll be one of the best decisions of my life. That’s why I went ahead and made a commitment.
Which position do they like you for?
Safety, strong or free. I think mostly likely strong safety.
What specifically about your game does Louisville like?
Their defense, they want the focus to be on taller DBs. I talked to Coach, and he said they were getting beat on a couple of deep balls last season, and they want emphasize taller DBs. They talked to me about that, and also Coach Watson said, “You know, I just love your character. You seem like a really, really nice kid, a good kid.” That’s one thing they look for, guys with character. They don’t look just only for guys who can play ball but guys with good character, and he said he feels like I have that and wants me to be a part of their program.
How long have you had a Louisville offer?
Since the third week of February.
How many times have you have visited? When was the last time?
Three times, and two weeks ago for a spring practice (was the last time).
What were your other offers that you considered?
I had a whole bunch of MAC schools, but I didn’t really have too much interest in those. My coach talked about waiting to go through spring recruiting (and college evaluations) and see how that turns out, but I was like, “Man, forget all that. I know where I want to go. There’s no sense in waiting any more time.”
How would you describe how you play?
I bring a sense leadership on the field, and I definitely play smart. That’s one of the key things is I play smart, and I can be aggressive, play down in the box, cover deep over the top, cover slot receivers. With my height, it’s more of an advantage that I can cover a slot receiver who is quick and shifty, and if the ball goes up in the air, I’m definitely getting it. There’s no doubt about it.
Do you know any of your stats from last season?
I had to sit out the last five games with an ankle injury, so I only go to play the first five games. I think I had 43 tackles in five games.
Are you back healthy now?
Oh, yeah, definitely. I went to a Rivals camp yesterday, and my ankle was perfectly fine. (Ballew was named the No. 6 defensive performer at the camp by Rivals.)
Pin It