Joseph Stone Jr. knows Louisville.
The four-star receiver, who committed to the Cardinals before their game against Virginia Tech, has family in the city.
“I’ve been going to Louisville my whole life,” Stone said. “It’s already a city that I love. So it’s going to be kind of different, me putting on for a city that I am familiar with and that I have loved ones in.”
Stone lives in Fairburn, Georgia, and plays for Langston Hughes High School, but many family members on his dad’s side live in Louisville.
The 6-foot, 185-pound receiver, who was once committed to LSU, is excited to play in Jeff Brohm’s offense and be part of what he is building in Louisville.
“I love his energy. You know him (Brohm) being from Louisville, I think it all connects, and it’s just a good look,” Stone said. “I just can’t wait to get there and work. I feel like everything just worked out, right.”
Stone has intangibles that coaches want to see in receivers: creating separation at the top of routes, possessing great hands and playing multiple positions. He played quarterback, running back and receiver his first two years of high school.
As a receiver, Stone lines up in the slot and on the outside.
With his muscular frame, he does not shy away from contact and looks to put defenders in the dirt while run-blocking.
That mindset could make him a good fit in Brohm’s offense, which — led by tailback Jawhar Jordan — has had success running the ball this season.
“That is something I definitely take pride in, being strong and being violent with your hands, violent everything because, at the end of the day, it’s football,” Stone said.
Langston Hughes coach Daniel Williams said Stone’s leadership sets him apart from his peers.
“He will stay late to sweep up the locker room; he will stay late to pick up all the trash,” Williams said. “He’ll make sure everybody has their helmet emblems on the left side (or) right side.”
Last year, in the third round of the Georgia High School Association Class 6A playoffs, Langston Hughes was tied at halftime with Woodward Academy. Stone didn’t play in the game, but Williams said his speech in the locker room sparked the team. The Panthers went on to defeat Woodward Academy, 56-28, and two weeks later, they won the 6A championship.
Stone already has two football state championship rings, winning his first as a freshman at Grayson High School.
“I need three (state championships); I feel like that will put the icing on the cake,” Stone said. “Do it for South Fulton. You know, do it for South Atlanta. I feel like that would really be a good send-off to college.”
After the season, Stone plans on graduating early and enrolling at Louisville in January.
“I’m just looking forward to getting to Louisville,” Stone said. “Just putting on and bringing that type of swag that I bring to the table — just showing that my presence is there.”
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Reach sports reporter Prince James Story at pstory@gannett.com and follow him on X at @PrinceJStory.