Taylor County's Goodin back in Cards' picture

After several months without contact, the University of Louisville basketball team resumed its recruiting interest in four-star Taylor County point guard Quentin Goodin on Friday when assistant coach Kenny Johnson attended the team's practice.

Goodin's father, Chris, said he chatted with Johnson, who's in his first year with the Cardinals. He already knew the family from when he was on Indiana's staff.

"It was good to have them stop by," Chris Goodin said. "He told me he was glad to be part of the recruiting process, and he had to figure out when was going to be a good time to get Coach (Rick Pitino) down here to see him play a game."

The 6-foot-3 Goodin is the state's most highly regarded junior, rated No. 78 nationally in the 2016 class by Rivals.com, No. 91 by 247Sports.com and No. 94 by Scout.com. He's approaching 20 scholarship offers, including from Florida, which recently offered during Goodin's visit there, Michigan, Marquette, IU, Western Kentucky and Wichita State.

Chris Goodin said he has "absolutely no idea" where his son stands as far as receiving a scholarship offer from U of L, but Johnson likes him.

"I asked him what he thought about him, and he said, 'He's a player, man,' " Chris Goodin said. "… With them, the ball's kind of in their court."

Chris Goodin has been a lifelong U of L fan, but he said "I'd be lying" to say it didn't bother him some that the Cards had shown minimal interest in his son the past several months after having him on campus for visits and watching him play as an underclassman. He said he thinks it had left a "bittersweet feeling in your mouth" that the Cards had go so long without reaching out.

Still, Chris Goodin said, it's "quite possible" that Quentin would consider U of L strongly if they increase their presence.

"At the moment, until we put a list out, it's not too late for anybody," said the elder Goodin, who added that his son could narrow his list fairly soon.

Whether or not things progress with U of L, Quentin Goodin won't be short on great college options.

Chris Goodin said their trip to Florida was excellent. They met with coach Billy Donovan, toured the campus and attended the Gators' football victory over Kentucky. Donovan told Quentin Goodin he liked his game and his character.

"It was a big-time offer," Chris Goodin said. "He was very excited about that. We had a great visit down there and really enjoyed ourselves. They were first-class to us. … Their fan support is phenomenal."

Chris Goodin said his son doesn't have a single favorite, but he knows he enjoyed the trip to Gainesville a lot, and he believes the Gators up-tempo style and ball-screen offense would suit his son's game.

The Gators are among a big group of teams that have come watch Goodin this fall. Michigan, Minnesota, Marquette, Tennessee, Murray State, Wichita State, Western Kentucky, Alabama and Xavier are others that have.

Alabama, Minnesota and Xavier have not offered, although Alabama and Xavier seem ready to do so at any time if the family is willing to visit their campuses. A trip to Alabama last week had to be canceled because of a scheduling conflict.

The University of Kentucky, which showed interest in Goodin last year and invited him to Lexington for some visits, has not been in contact lately, Chris Goodin said.

IU, to Chris' surprise, has not had any coaches come see Quentin this fall either after offering him a scholarship and recruiting him strongly last year.

"They've been everywhere else but to see us," Chris Goodin said. "I have no idea (why)."

Steve Jones can be reached at (502) 582-7176 and followed on Twitter at @SteveJones_CJ.