Louisville commit Bryten Close opened his senior season with an impressive performance. The 6-foot-6, 300-pound lineman helped Taylor County High School earn a 27-0 win over Metcalfe County last weekend. Close led a strong offensive line that paved the way for 220 rushing yards and more than 350 yards of total offense.
“Right now, I feel really good,” Close said after the game. “A win is always great to start the season. Of course, there are mistakes in the first game, but it’s a good way to get going.”
Close is expected to contribute on both sides of the ball this season. In the opener, he played mostly offense, recording just one defensive snap despite finishing last year with 60 tackles and 15 tackles for loss. He battled through the end of last season with a shoulder injury that required offseason surgery. “It’s not fully 100 percent yet,” he said. “When I first got cleared, I rushed into things. I had to slow down, make sure I was okay, and now it feels better every day.”
After skipping football as a sophomore to focus on basketball, Close returned last year for a breakout junior season. He helped Taylor County finish 6-5 and quickly gained college attention for his size and skill. Initially wanting to play tight end, he transitioned to offensive tackle, where his run blocking stood out and his pass protection steadily improved.
Close received nearly a dozen offers before committing to Louisville in the spring. He built a strong bond with Cardinals offensive line coach Richard Owens, who traveled to watch him in a workout before extending the offer. “I trust him and the guys there a lot,” Close said. “When Louisville gave me the opportunity, it was something I knew I wanted right away.”
Taylor County coach Scott Parkey praised Close’s versatility, noting his athleticism despite his size. “He’s so deceptive,” Parkey said. “He can pull, block downfield, and handle multiple spots on the line. We knew from early on he was special.
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