Getting to Know: Daniel Pierre Louis

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• Getting to Know: Onis Konanbanny
• Post-Spring/Transfer Portal Ranking of Florida position-by-position
• Getting to Know: Byron Louis
• Mock Signing Class 3.0
• Recruiting Wire: In-state four-star will officially visit
• Florida solidifies position as a top option for four-star
• Commitment Burn Barometer
• 10 Most Wanted: Florida’s Top 10 Targets

Daniel Pierre Louis is a three-star offensive lineman from Loxahatchee, Florida. Initially committed to play for Florida State, he decommitted shortly after his official visit to Florida on November 15th, 2024.

Tounkara later signed with Florida on December 4th, 2024.

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?
“It was pretty good, so early on Coach Johnathan Decoster had reached out to me trying to build a relationship. He said, ‘Hey I’m going to come to one of your games,’ and that was the first coach that told me he was coming to one of my games. That meant a lot to me because it showed me that they were taking me seriously and invested. After the game, I kept building that relationship with them and realized how much they wanted me and how well they developed their guys. I’m a big development guy, and I love getting better with my technique. Overall, the relationship with coach John and meeting the other coaches like Rob Sale and their energy got me interested in the program and made me ultimately want to commit.”

What made you do the switch from FSU?
“When I had committed to Florida State, obviously I knew there was like a lot of controversy and stuff going on and it didn’t really bother me. I didn’t care about their record and about whatever was going on, but I never fully ruled Florida out. I felt more that they had what I was looking for. I respected Florida State’s program they treated me very well and everything, but Florida, I really felt that push that they genuinely wanted me there and that was something that me and my family valued.”

What was the craziest, strangest or weirdest moment of the recruiting cycle?
“The first meeting with Billy Napier I really got to see how much he means to the program and why my teammates fight for him. He is the type of man and type of coach that I want, and he is very similar to my high school head coach. I really love my high school head coach. I already clicked there with him and more so it was just like I saw his passion for the game and how much he could see me in the program already.”

If there is one thing you could change about the recruiting process, what would it be?
“I would say putting myself out there more, in the beginning, I was a sophomore and on Twitter, I didn’t have any of these things other guys had. I was proud of myself for what I did without having a platform yet. I could have built relationships with these coaches earlier on, so I can make the like make it smoother you know I mean because I didn’t get it offers until late. There’s nothing wrong with that and everybody has a plan for a reason, but I do wish that I was able to build relationships with coaches earlier on in my career.”

If you could play a sport outside of football, which sport would it be?
“I think basketball because as a little kid, I played basketball, and I always said like if I didn’t continue with football, I would love to play basketball and I’ve always kind of had a thing for it. I play it more as a pickup thing like if I decided to go to the park with my friends. Football fit my lifestyle a little bit more, basketball for me is the more that’s all just go hang out compared with my friends about football was really like an outlet for me and something that I really enjoyed doing.”

What is your favorite football memory?
“My senior night, you know playing with my teammates for the last time and getting that final win, it really hit me like I’m about to be gone. It also was not a huge school like Texas where there’s coaches coming in every single day you know, so thanks to me in time I was able to put my screen back on the map a little bit more and just some more recognition but also just like the memories of everything I’ve been through with my brothers. I’m passing the torch to these young boys you know and just I’m so happy that they’re part of my career.”

What would you say are some of your greatest strengths as a football player?
“My mindset and that I’m a little bit of a perfectionist, so I love getting my technique ready I get my technique right getting coaching tips and coaching points and I love just keep grinding. I’m not really a big trash-talker, I let my game speak for me. If I’m blocking this dude, I’m taking him to the ground every single play I don’t have to say anything too. I already know, like, I’m going to beat him every single time, so I just kind of keep that mindset you have to be a dog, and you can’t wait for it because we’re in the SEC.”

What is the most appealing part to you about the University of Florida?
“The University of Florida obviously the education was number one just being able to say I have a degree from the University of Florida holds weight, so you know you always have a plan after football. I graduated from here it’s amazing and it’s going to set me up for success in life. The coaching staff really do care about you and have your best interest at hand whether it be you know making you do extra work because they see the potential in you, and you can hate them all you want but like they’re going to tell you what you need to hear not what you want to hear. I like that and I feel like I really belong there.”

What do you really need to work on the most when you get to Florida?
“I just want to get my technique as good as I can and really absorb the playbook you know my goal is to be on the travel team and in rotation my freshman year. Start getting in quality reps, I was talking to coach John, and he was saying how Knijeah Harris #77 has already got over 300 snaps his freshman year, so he was able to get that experience and know what it’s like to play the game. I’m very thankful that we got the older guys coming back because I can learn from them and really feel like what the process is getting my technique right.”

Who is the prospect that you have talked to the most from the Class of 2025?
“My teammate Ty Jackson, he is already up there, so I’m happy that I have a teammate out there you know who I have been through stuff with, so when things get hard, I can always be like we already went through this before. Another person is Joseph Mbatchou, he was on my official visit and is a cool dude man and I just love his energy.”

Who are you looking most forward to either playing with or maybe going against in practice?
“I’m more excited getting used to that college speed you know I mean cause all of the boys up there. I can’t wait to get there because like all of them are good you know I mean so I’m more excited than just like you know everyone get on here and you know getting quality reps because every push has its iron sharpens.”

PERSONAL

What is your major?
“I’m thinking about going into health sciences to be a pre-med track or kind of something within the sciences.”

If you a chance to go on a dream date, who would it be with?
“My current girlfriend right now.”

What would be your first purchase if you got drafted in the first round of the NFL Draft?
“I’m not dropping millions, but just a nice house for me and my future family to stay in you know whether that be just someone like myself. I don’t really like spending too much money even though I’m an athlete, but I am not going to drop a couple mil over cars.”

What is one item that you cannot live without it?
“I’d probably say my journal and PS5.”

What is your favorite professional football team/player?
“The Philadelphia Eagles ‘Fly Eagles, Fly’ and DeVonta Smith is my favorite player.”

Who has been the biggest role model for you in your life?
“My older brother and my offensive line coach have taught me everything and prepared me for this next step in my career. My coach is wonderful, Jake Jones, he’s been the greatest coach I ever had up to this moment and I really thank him and then my older brother you know he’s just simple older brother things always making sure I’m straight.”

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?
“Definitely Gang Sh** by YoungBoy making sure everybody is vibing and ready.”

What is your favorite movie?
“Ocean’s 12 with George Clooney.”

What is your favorite TV show?
“One Piece.”

What is your favorite flavor of Gatorade?
“It’s kind of a hard question because my high school got sponsored by a local church. They would only give us yellow Gatorade, so that’s what I’m used to, but I have to say my favorite flavor would have to be blue.”

What wild animal would you be, and why?
“I would be a gorilla; they are the leader of the pack and give off royalty vibes. If I wasn’t a gorilla, I would probably be a black panther because they are a top-tier animal.”

What are you looking forward to in college outside of football?
“Making connections, growing as a person, and seeing like how college life will shape me. I was just talking to my mom about this because I’m about to come back home and unrecognizable physically and mentally.”

What do you look for in a good college roommate? Any idea who yours will be?
“I know who my roommates will be, but somebody who knows me and is clean and kind of outgoing. I am a person who goes with the flow because I’m somebody who figures it out. I’m not too picky about like my roommates or whatever, so as long as you just clean and respect people’s things.”

If you could have dinner with three people from any point in history, who would they be?
“Barrack Obama, Richard Sherman, and Tim Tebow. That would be elite dinner right there.”

What are three things on your bucket list?
“I want to go visit Japan before I die, go skydiving, and want to climb a mountain not like Mt. Everest, but a cool mountain just to experience what that’s like.”

What is one thing about you that the Gator Nation would be surprised to find out about?
“I like origami and making the folds. I’m not too good at it but it’s something I like to do.”

What do you want people to think when they hear the name “Daniel Prospect’s Name” five years from now?
“The legacy and the impact I left on Florida and the offensive line room. I want to have helped my community and my school giving back.”

What is your favorite quality in a teammate?
“I like my teammates that I can do things with and that have the same motivation. That is actively trying to help other people are trying to bring other people in the same level as you, rather be seen because of your workout or just use whatever you’re doing.”

What is your favorite meal to cook?
“I’m cooking fried rice; I love making it. I don’t like vegetables and rice I like making my fried rice souped up.”

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