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Byron Louis, a four-star running back from Ft. Lauderdale (Fla.) American Heritage signed with Florida in December after flipping from Florida State late in the process.
Learn more about him on a personal level in this edition of Getting to Know.
FOOTBALL/RECRUITING
Take us through the process that led to your commitment. What was that experience like for you?
“I was originally committed to Florida State with Tramell Jones Jr., and you know he called me, and he told me he was like, hey, I might be flipping to the University of Florida, and I should take a look at it too. I want you to come play with me. Ultimately, I took that visit, it was for the LSU game, and it turned into a night game where [UF] ended up coming out on top. Then came back the second week and started talking to Coach [Billy] Napier after that game and he was like we have to set up an official visit because signing day was two weeks out. I did an official visit with my parents we all loved it and, on the way, home you know I told him I was thinking to myself like I would be a fool not to come here, so I just that it was the right place to be.”
What was the biggest difference between Florida and Florida State that made you flip?
“It had nothing to do with the coaching staff and it had nothing to do with wins and losses, but just solely on like the guys that were there. They’re all very like-minded. You know we all have the same common goal and that’s to win a National Championship. Ultimately, I liked hanging around them guys off the field and just getting to know them on a personal level like they are people who I see myself surrounding and willing to associate myself with, so I just knew.”
Which school came in second for you and why?
“Ohio State was definitely at the top for a while, but then you also have Georgia. Sony Michel who is an alumnus of my high school, was a big influence when he went to Georgia too, so I would say Ohio State and Georgia.”
What was the craziest, strangest, or weirdest moment of the recruiting cycle?
“The most fun was the University of Miami because my former teammate Mark Fletcher was my host, so it was I was able to connect with him on a deeper level, you know get the ins and outs about the University of Miami. It was just me and him talking one on one man to man about everything.”
Is there one thing you would change about the recruiting process?
“No, absolutely not because I feel as if I wouldn’t end up where I am today. Florida wasn’t heavy on my radar for a while, so I think that it was God’s timing those and I believe everything happens for a reason.”
If you could play a sport outside of football, which sport would it be?
“Table tennis because I’m very interested in the way the ball curves and how you have to hit at a certain power and a certain angle. I’m big on learning the science part about sports.”
What is your favorite football memory?
“When I was 12, I won the Super Bowl and the first person I hugged was my dad because he knows how hard I worked to reach that goal, so just to be there in that moment was probably one of the sweetest.”
What would you say are some of your greatest strengths as a football player?
“My greatest strength is me being the smartest one, yeah you know I’m probably faster and stronger than, but I feel like mentally I understand the game a lot more, so I feel like that would be my biggest strength.”
What is the most appealing part to you about the University of Florida?
“It was the bond that the players have. You know they are a true brotherhood. I don’t think I’ve seen a team as close-knit as Florida.”
What do you really need to work on the most when you get to Florida?
“I want to be an all-around player, so that means strength, speed, and weight wise, but really, I just want to be a big help in the community. I want to be a role model, a leader for kids, so I mean I feel as if I want to improve all around not just on the field but off it too.”
Who is the prospect that you have talked to the most from the Class of 2025?
“My former teammate because now were going to college, but Zae Thomas he’s a corner at Florida State, so I’ll probably say me and him were the closest. As far as going to the University of Florida, now Vernell Brown, TJ (Tramell Jones), and Drake Stubbs.”
Who are you looking most forward to either playing with or maybe going against in practice?
“I can’t wait to play alongside Vernell Brown. I played against him in a State Championship in high school. I’m most excited to go against in practice is [Tyreak] Sapp because he was at the spring practices, and I see he likes to get loud. I feel like practices this summer are going to be very competitive and we’re just going to get to go at each other’s necks. I know that when Saturday comes you know we’re just going to click everybody going to do their job, but I can’t wait to go out and go against Sapp.”
PERSONAL
What is your major?
“I’ll be majoring in sports marketing.”
What would be your first purchase if you got drafted in the first round of the NFL Draft?
“My first purchase would be a house because I would need somewhere to live wherever I end up.”
What is one item that you cannot live without it?
“I can’t live without my phone; I need my phone. I have all my cards on my phone, so I wouldn’t be able to buy anything without it.”
What is your favorite professional football team?
“Minnesota Vikings, I’m so excited that JJ McCarthy is back and healthy and we go show the world. We always fall short towards the back end of the season, but I got faith that this year we will come out on top.”
Who has been the biggest role model for you in your life?
“The running backs that came out of my high school, which are Mark Fletcher, University of Miami, Sony Michel you know 2x Super Bowl Champ and I’ll say Khalil Herbert he’s a running back out at the Indianapolis Colts. I would say those are you know pretty big role models because they’re where I want to be, all of them all of them are at a level I haven’t gone to yet. I want to surpass all of them and make sure when you call their name mine is mentioned too.”
You’re given the AUX chord for the locker room before a practice or big game, what is the go-to song you’re playing?
“I’ve got three, any song by Lil Baby, Lil Durk, or Jeezy.”
What is your favorite movie?
“I’m so glad you asked this. My favorite movie of all time would have to be Final Destination right now. I really like Final Destination because it’s like these people, who don’t know they’re about to die, but it’s so crazy like the sequence and the lead-up to it it’s so interesting. We do the same thing, like normal things every day, and we’re not paying attention to our surroundings so whenever somebody dies it’s like if they just pay attention a little bit more they might still be
alive.”
What is your favorite TV show?
“My favorite TV show is Grey’s Anatomy; I could watch Grey’s Anatomy 1000 times. Honestly, I would say I think the writer Shonda Rhimes and she wrote How to Get Away with Murder. All of her shows are great storylines, I love the way she writes.”
Are you binging any shows right now?
“Right now, I’ve been watching Final Destination, so I can stay caught up when the new movie comes out.”
What is your favorite flavor of Gatorade?
“Grape or Lime Gatorade are my favorites.”
What wild animal/insect would you be, why?
“I would be a bee; I feel like bees are hard to catch they can make you miss. I can also just bother people whenever.”
What are you looking forward to in college outside of football?
“Just building that connection and just getting to know everybody and increasing that Gator mentality. I don’t want to be one of those athletes that just stays in the house or like you never know, like those that don’t want to be active in the community.”
What do you look for in a good college roommate? Any idea who yours will be?
“Honestly, just don’t let your mess be my mess, that’s all I got.”
What do you want people to think when they hear the name Byron Louis five years from now?
“Off the field, he was a great guy, a really stand-up guy, aside from football very respectful, very understanding, and never caused any trouble he just was a good guy.”
What is your favorite quality in a teammate?
“The guy that wants to push everybody around him just wants the best out of everybody. Don’t let others slack because they are friends and buddies. They have to hold each other accountable.”
What is your favorite meal to cook?
“The first meal I’m going to make when I get to college is steak pasta. I don’t cook now, I usually let my mom do the cooking, but when I get to college, I’m making all my meals.”
If you could have dinner with three people from any point in history, who would they be?
“I have two. The first one is Kobe Bryant, just to really learn that humble mentality and the second person I’ll go with is Jay-Z because he is a well-rounded businessman who knows his stuff.”
What are three things on your bucket list?
“Win a National Championship, get a degree, and get drafted in the first round.”
What is one thing that the Gator Nation would be surprised to find out about you?
“That I love to bowl, I could bowl for hours. I’ve debated with my football coaches every year since I’ve been in high school like, hey I really want to join a bowling team, but I know I have practice. They said yeah you have to come to practice.”
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