Spanish Fort head coach Chase Smith doesn’t see anything that will hold senior Cole McConathy back at the college level.

That is good news for Louisville.

The 6-foot-5, 235-pound Toro defensive end committed to the Cardinals on Thursday night over Missouri and others.

“I think the question when guys get to the college level is do they have the physical stature to continue to grow and develop and sustain a season of college football?” Smith said. “Cole is very healthy and has the stature to put on that good weight he will need to at that level. I think he can be as successful as he wants to be.”

As a junior in 2022, McConathy finished the season with 50 tackles, 28 tackles for a loss and 14 sacks. The 3-star EDGE is listed as the No. 38 senior recruit in the state, according to the 247 composite rankings.

“He’s very powerful, very explosive and is a very high intellect kid,” Smith said. “He is so instinctual and smart. We can’t run screens on him, can’t run draws. He can sniff those out. His pass rush is very good, but he also has a good counter move. Cole is just a very savvy football player.”

McConathy’s other offers include Virginia, Colorado, Duke, Georgia Tech, Indiana, Kansas State, Memphis, Pittsburgh, South Alabama and Southern Miss.

“Obviously, Cole was a really, really good player for us last year,” Smith said. “Ever since the big-time offers have started, he has really elevated his leadership and work ethic. He hasn’t eased up at all. He’s been very methodical in his preparation. He really pressed the gas and started working harder than ever on his craft.”

McConathy is expected to play end in college as well.

Other in-state recruiting notes:

Highland Home 4-star Jakaleb Faulk recently announced his top 5 from among almost 20 offers. The 6-3, 225-pound EDGE/LB listed Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Georgia and Clemson as favorites.

Rated the state’s junior class No. 9 prospect by Rivals (No. 11 by 247Sports), Faulk also had offers from Arkansas, Kentucky, LSU, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, South Carolina, Tennessee, Oklahoma, USC, Michigan, Michigan State, Penn State, Notre Dame, Florida State, Miami and more.

Vigor athlete Jerrian Graham was originally scheduled to commit on the 4th of July but decided to hold off on his decision.

“With a lot of thought and prayer and talking to my family, I think it’s best that I push my commitment back to a later date so I can have more time to think about it,” he said on social media.

Mobile Christian center Bo Cagle has been invited to the U.S. Army National Showcase.

Saraland 2025 DL Antonio Coleman officially released a top five Thursday that included Oklahoma, Texas, Alabama, Auburn and Clemson. Coleman told AL.com last week he hopes to make a decision after he visits Texas later this month. Coleman also added an offer from Northwestern on Thursday.