Classroom:Padgett has already completed a bachelor's degree in political science at the University of Louisville in the spring of 2007. He is currently in graduate school while participating in his senior year on the court with the Cardinals. He has earned recognition for three of the past four semesers on the Athletic Director's Honor Roll, a distinction provided to those student-athletes who achieve a 3.0 or better grade point average.
Character:Padgett was unanimously selected among his fellow teammates and the coaching staff as the team captain for the Cardinals, who are ranked sixth in the USA Today/ESPN preseason poll. He played in the Cardinals' first 24 games as a sophomore before being forced to the sidelines with knee surgery. He had successful surgery on March 6, 2006. He recovered from that knee surgery well ahead of schedule to earn second team All-BIG EAST Conference honors last season. He was a preseason All-BIG EAST Conference pick this year and is among the nation's top 50 preseason candidates for the Naismith Trophy.
Competition:Padgett led the Cardinals in field goal percentage last season, making 59.7 percent while averaging 9.5 points and 5.6 rebounds. He has scored in double figures in 30 games over the past two seasons and has grabbed seven or more rebounds on 24 occasions. He is expected to be the starting center and leader on a team that most have picked among the top ten in preseason polls.