Taylor County OL Bryten Close Says Committing to Louisville Was an Easy Choice
Taylor County High School offensive lineman Bryten Close has committed to the University of Louisville, becoming the sixth in-state player to join the Cardinals’ 2026 recruiting class. Close made his announcement Tuesday afternoon, expressing excitement about staying close to home and joining a program he’s grown up watching.
“Coach Owens has really been connecting with me lately, and I was blown away by the facilities and the university,” Close told Cardinal Authority. “Two things made the decision simple: being from Taylor County, it’s a smooth transition to stay close to home and play for a team I’ve always supported. The other is the program’s tradition—Coach Brohm is building something special, and I want to be part of it as I aim for the next level.”
Standing 6-foot-6 and weighing 285 pounds, Close visited Louisville twice during spring practice. He attended a team practice and the Spring Game at L&N Stadium, joining about 50 other recruits. Close said he enjoyed both visits and was particularly impressed with the energy and intensity of the Spring Game.
“There was some discussion about an offer during those visits, and Coach Owens is supposed to visit me soon. I was hoping to make a strong impression,” Close said at the time. That impression clearly paid off—he received the offer and is now officially part of the Cardinals’ future.
In addition to Louisville, Close held offers from several other programs, including East Carolina, Eastern Kentucky, Western Kentucky, Liberty, Howard, Penn, Ohio, Colgate, and UMass. A versatile player, Close contributes on both sides of the line. As a junior, he tallied 59 tackles and 14.5 tackles for loss on defense.
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