Swopshire finds answer in the Cards

A trip to a Big East school yielded a weekend commitment from Jared Swopshire, a 6-foot-7, 195-pound wing from IMG Academy in Brandenton, Fla.

The three-star native of St. Louis officially visited Louisville this weekend and decided to end his recruitment while on the trip.

"I just felt like it was the best fit for me and I'm going to be playing for a great coach in coach (Rick) Pitino. He's going to help push me and develop me and my game," Swopshire said.

He is the fifth commitment for the Cardinals in the class of 2008. Swopshire joins five-star prospects Samardo Samuels and Terrence Jennings as well as Melquan Bolding and Kyle Kuric. Swopshire said the coaching staff likes his length and versatility and hope to use him from the outset as a freshman.

"They said they see me coming in right away and playing from the get go. We have a great recruiting class in 2008. They are all really good guys," Swopshire said. "Everyone is real excited and fired up for the future. I know they are still working really hard on Tyreke (Evans) and have Samardo Samuels already on board. Plus you have guys like Jerry Smith, Edgar Sosa and everyone else. Everyone is really fired up."

Swopshire also officially visited Marquette and Clemson. He said taking the visit helped make up his mind.

"I've never been here before so I wanted to see the campus with my family," he said. "They had a chance to meet the coaches and I had a chance to meet the players and see the campus and see what it is all about."