Louisville Football Picks Up DT Derrick Calloway Days Before Allstate Sugar Bowl

Louisville has been hoping their success this season would help them pick up some elite recruits. On Sunday they received some great news—Derrick Calloway, a 4-star defensive tackle, committed to the Cardinals at the Offense-Defense All-American Bowl, according to Chris Hays of OrlandoSentinel.com.

"Coach Strong really takes care of the interior guys," Calloway told Hays.

Calloway picked Louisville over South Florida and Missouri (via Sam Khan Jr, ESPN ). He also had offers from Arkansas, Ohio State, Florida State, USC, Texas A&M and several other Division I schools.

The 6'1", 310-pound lineman is considered the 18th-best defensive tackle and the 44th-best player from the state of Florida in the 2013 class by Rivals.com.

ESPN.com says of Calloway (subscription required):

"

This is a kid who can be stout and even at times a disruptive presence in the trenches. Calloway possesses a bit of a compact, but thick build. He has adequate height and carries a good amount of bulk on his frame

"

Calloway had 68 total tackles, three sacks and forced two fumbles as a senior at Manatee High School in Bradenton, Fla..

Louisville now has 11 commits for the 2013 class, and Calloway is their third defensive tackle. Coach Charlie Strong has said several times that he is looking to build some size and depth at the defensive line, and he certainly has that with Calloway.

Louisville is just days way from playing the Florida Gators in the Allstate Sugar Bowl in New Orleans. The Cardinals are huge underdogs, but are hoping this will be a great experience for their young players.

This is their first Sugar Bowl, and only their third BCS bowl game in school history.

As long as Louisville continues picking up talent like Calloway, there is a good chance we will see them in a lot more big bowl games.

Jon Hancock is a contributor for Bleacher Report. Unless otherwise noted, all quotes were obtained firsthand.

You can follow Jon on Twitter @JonKYSportsCo.