FloRugby readers should probably be familiar with Isaac Bales, as he was a standout in the Lindenwood Tournament in February, and also showed well for Nebraska in the Midwest RCT.

Now, he's a freshman at Louisville, and he hasn't taken a single step backward. Our freshman of the week, Bales was a three-year starter for the Nebraska select side and captained the USA Panthers South U18s.

"I've been around rugby for a while, in South-Africa and stateside," said Louisville coach Eml Walton. "And this kid is something else. At age 18, he has all the makings of a world-class hooker: work rate off the ball, hard-nosed running, and defense."

Bales has already shown leadership, and players follow his example. All kinds of difficult to bring down, he has a player others follow, said Walton, and when Louisville's captain was injured this past weekend against Cincinnati, Bales took over as the Cardinals won 23-17.

"I'm blessed to have him on my squad because he sets the standard to which I hold all my players," said Walton, who brought in former Scotland international, Euan Murray to work with the forwards. Murray was impressed with Bales, too. "I'm very excited to groom him and this is a kid that everyone needs to keep an eye on. He is hands down the best player that has been through the ranks here at UofL and has a bright future ahead of him."

Told you so.