Hurricanes in top four for top running back Byron Louis as he nears decision
By Adam Lichtenstein, South Florida Sun-Sentinel,
2024-08-25
American Heritage running back Byron Louis, shown posing for a Sun Sentinel Super 12 photo, is considering Miami. Louis released his four top schools on Friday. Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun-Sentinel/TNS
FORT LAUDERDALE — The Miami Hurricanes have one running back in their 2025 class, four-star prospect Girard Pringle Jr., but another four-star recruit from closer to home is considering joining UM’s class, as well.
American Heritage standout Byron Louis announced his top four college choices on Friday night. In addition to Miami, he is considering Florida State, Georgia and Wisconsin. He plans to announce his commitment on Sept. 21, shortly after his birthday on Sept. 17.
“They’re the ones that have been showing me the most love since I was in the eighth grade,” Louis said. “So being able to drop the list down to Power 5, Power 4, schools is honestly a blessing. At the end of the day, I’m still going to college, so I’m blessed.”
Louis said he plans to use the final month before his commitment to evaluate his options. He does not plan to visit any of the schools before his commitment, having already taken official visits to those schools in the summer.
All four schools on his list appeal to Louis, a South Florida Sun Sentinel Super 12 selection . He noted that Miami has brought in other South Florida running backs who he knows well, including for American Heritage halfback Mark Fletcher Jr., who Louis is close to.
“Wisconsin, I think that’s RB-U. They’re going to run the ball,” Louis said. “With Georgia, they run almost three running backs a game. They’re going to average that. With Miami, they’re building a stable back there with Jordan Lyle, Mark Fletcher and Chris (Wheatley-Humphrey) and the other Chris (Johnson Jr.). All of those guys are from South Florida, and why not play with the best? And with FSU, they run a lot of 21 personnel and I want to be a part of something where I’m not just carrying the load. … I do want to be somewhere where I know I’ll be able to have that help next to me and I know I can lean on the guy next to me.”
“Coach Merritt talks to my dad more than he talks to me. Honestly, I think my dad and him are best friends,” Louis said. “But that’s my guy. I respect coach Merritt. I love his coaching style. He’s very detail-oriented and one of the best coaches.”
Louis said he has gotten advice from Heritage’s coaches and other Patriots running backs that have come before him, including Fletcher, Sony Michel and Khalil Herbert. He said they advised him to pick the right fit.
“That’s the best part of having alums from American Heritage,” Louis said. “We had great running backs.”
Louis said his primary deciding factor will be whether he can see himself living at one of those schools for the next several years.
“Honestly, it’s just the place that feels like home. Whichever place feels like home,” Louis said. “I’m going there to play football, but I’ve also got to live there, too. That’s a very big factor. I don’t want to get homesick, so whatever choice I make, just know it’ll be good.”
Louis also said he knows the importance of his decision next month, calling it his first “big-boy decision.”
“This is the only time where a high school student is able to make that big decision,” Louis said. “When you go to the NFL, they draft you. When you pick a high school, your parents pick. So this is my first big-boy decision, growing into manhood.”
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