Elite In-State '27 Wide Receiver Includes Louisville in Top Four

Cam Wade, a top prospect from Paducah, Kentucky, has the Cardinals among his finalists.

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

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Cam Wade, a highly-touted wide receiver and defensive back from Paducah (Ky.) Tilghman, has included the Louisville Cardinals in his top four schools. The 2027 prospect is ranked as high as the No. 167 player in his class nationally and the No. 5 player in the state of Kentucky.

Why it matters

Louisville has made in-state recruiting a priority under head coach Jeff Brohm, and landing Wade would be a major coup for the program as they look to build on their current No. 7-ranked 2027 recruiting class.

The details

Wade, a two-way standout, has narrowed his list to Louisville, Florida State, LSU, and Maryland. The Cardinals have made him a top target, with assistant Vince Marrow leading the recruitment and Wade visiting for the season opener last year. As a junior, Wade put up impressive numbers, catching 53 passes for 821 yards and 14 touchdowns.

  • Wade announced his top four schools on February 18, 2026.
  • He visited Louisville for their season opener against EKU last August.

The players

Cam Wade

A 2027 wide receiver and defensive back prospect from Paducah (Ky.) Tilghman, ranked as high as the No. 167 player in his class nationally and the No. 5 player in Kentucky.

Jeff Brohm

The head coach of the Louisville football program, who has made in-state recruiting a priority.

Vince Marrow

The executive Director of Football Personnel at Louisville, who is serving as the lead recruiter for Cam Wade.

Jarvis Strickland

An offensive lineman from Paducah Tilghman who signed with Louisville in the previous recruiting cycle.

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What’s next

Wade is expected to make his college decision in the coming months, with Louisville hoping to land the in-state star.

The takeaway

Louisville's aggressive pursuit of top in-state talent like Cam Wade is a key part of their strategy to build a championship-caliber program under Jeff Brohm, and landing the elite 2027 prospect would be a major recruiting victory for the Cardinals.