247Sports news: Louisville sign in a new linebacker from Palmetto, Florida in a blockbuster deal.
Caleb Matelau, a linebacker from Palmetto, Florida, committed to Louisville after making an official visit.
Following a weekend visit with the program, linebacker Caleb Matelau of Palmetto, Florida, made his commitment to the Louisville Cardinals, adding another component to the team’s 2025 recruiting class.
Matelau said, “It feels great,” to Cardinal Authority. “I’m overjoyed. I’ve gotten to know a few of the guys, and I immediately feel like I’m family.”
The 6-foot-3, 215-pound Matelau recorded 96 tackles, six stops for a loss, two sacks, two recoveries of fumbles, one forced fumble, one deflection of a pass, and one blocked punt in his junior year. His career total of tackles in 29 games is 252, with 92 tackles in 29 games as a sophomore.
Matelau, “The coaches like how I run down hill,” expressed his opinion. “They told me that they like how off the field I am a nice guy, but on the field I am a violent human being.”
Matelau is the seventh recruit for Louisville, having visited the university for their spring game.
After receiving an offer from Louisville in the middle of January, Matelau went on to receive offers from USF, Florida Atlantic, Arkansas State, Wake Forest, and Pittsburgh in the latter part of January.
“Coach Mark Ivey was the first coach to offer me, so that was really big for me,” Matelau stated. “Every coach is really wonderful. Ron English, the defensive coordinator, is someone I truly like, and Coach Brohm is a good guy.”
He had some fascinating conversations with some of the current team members during his formal visit.
Matelau remarked, “They were telling me about the brotherhood there.” “They described how, following each session, they all go to the video room and give each other corrections. That is absolutely great. I’d like to have that.”
Matelau placed highly at the National Preps Champion National Combine, which took place in Orlando in February.
“A hard-nosed linebacker under the lights, a non-padded camp wasn’t exactly the setting for Matelau to shine, but he impressed with his lateral quickness and coverage skills,” 247Sports’ Andrew Ivins said.
