BOCA RATON – Defensive end Ashton Gillotte has committed to Louisville, according to his Twitter account.
Gillotte, who ranks at No. 2 in New Era Prep’s Top 25 for the Class of 2021, chose Louisville over UCF, Duke, Vanderbilt and Pittsburgh, who all made his top five.
“A whole host of reasons,” Gillotte said about his decision to choose Louisville. “Location, the coaching staff, education…I got a good vibe and it felt natural. I didn’t feel like it was forced.”
Another factor in his decision was Louisville’s turnaround as a program.
Under new head coach Scott Saterfield, Louisville increased its win total from two wins in 2018 to eight wins and a Music City Bowl win in 2019.
“It was actually a big part because it reminds me of [Boca Raton High School],” Gillotte explained. “Especially last year, very similar. Last year, we weren’t necessarily slated to be a good team basically. We were expected to go even worse because we lost eight of our starters. But we ended up making it to the playoffs for the first time in 10 years…I like that kind of team. Being a part of something that is established is easy.”
Gillotte says he went with Louisville as of yesterday (May 16).
“We made that decision on Saturday officially but was kind of leaning towards it,” Gillotte explained. “It’s like a gut thing. It felt right. It works out better for me.”
Gillotte finished his junior season with 82 total tackles, including 22 tackles for loss. He also added 16 sacks and three forced fumbles.
Although many will choose to commit during one of the signing days, Gillotte chose to end the process early, committing before his senior season began.
“Part of it is through this pressure because our scenario is cutting off time. I’m not disappointed in what I chose,” Gillotte explained.
For Gillotte, it’s a relief that this process is over and that he can focus on his senior season with Boca Raton.
“That’s like my thing. I like football, but not as much of having to talk to a bunch of people,” Gillotte explained. “Publicity is good but not too much…the recruiting process] was pretty chaotic…It was just non-stop and it picked up as soon as the coronavirus went out.”
Gillotte is the second player from Palm Beach County to commit to Louisville in as many years.
Last December, Atlantic defensive end Henry Bryant III (Class of 2020) committed to Louisville.
And in recent years, Louisville has picked up Renato Brown (Palm Beach Central; Class of 2019), Jarrett Jackson (Palm Beach Gardens; Class of 2018), and Jordan Travis (Benjamin; Class of 2018). Jackson and Travis are no longer part of the Louisville program, as they both have transferred to Florida State.
“The coaches didn’t even really bring it up that much,” Gillotte said. “It’s kind of cool that I can be around other Florida kids.”
PHOTO CREDIT: Fifth Quarter
