James Louis: Hunting Crystal (Inside The U)All the signs pointed to the speedy wide receiver from Delray Beach, Florida heading to the Florida Gators. Word on the street was that he gave a silent verbal to Urban Meyer and was just waiting until Florida's Friday Night Lights event to make his decision public. Gator fans thought they had found their next great speedy receiver in the wake of Percy Harvin departing early for the NFL and were chomping at the bit to get the 5'11" 180-pound athlete come signing day in February 2010. Then, something funny happened, as James Louis had something else in store for his future plans.
On July 29, 2009, the Sunshine State native surprised the gurus as he announced that he would play his college football in Columbus for The Ohio State Buckeyes. Rumors swirled that the Florida coaches were giving Louis the cold shoulder as they pursued other prospects, such as fellow Floridian Chris Dunkley, but one thing that was clear was that any love affair between the two parties was clearly in a rut. Louis maintained that the Buckeyes were always one of his favorites, and despite never making a visit to campus, felt the place for him would be Ohio State. Whatever the reason for his pledge to OSU, Buckeye fans are certainly happy to have Louis as a member of the recruiting class of 2010 and are hoping he will bring some of his Florida speed to add another dynamic to the Ohio State offense.
I got the chance to catch up with Louis recently and while I was really impressed with his film, I was equally impressed with how he conducts himself off of the field. See why Urban's loss is Buckeye Nation's gain, as James shares his thoughts on a number of issues including the status of his commitment, when he will visit Columbus, his thoughts on the Big Ten's bad reputation, and more.
Fans have heard some various stories of how it happened, but now that it has, how'd you become a Buckeye? First things first, the Buckeyes have been in my top 3 schools from day one. So, I just sat down and talked some things over with my family and I felt like Ohio State was the best place for me.
Is your commitment solid or is there a chance you'll sign elsewhere on National Signing Day? My commitment is solid. Ohio State is where I want to be and that's where I'm going to be for sure.
Now that you have committed, are you going to try and help recruit other players from Florida that OSU is recruiting? Yes, there are a couple of great players in my area that are interested in Ohio State right now, [and some] just haven't got an offer yet, but I'm going to try my best to tell my coaches to take a look at them.
You have never visited Columbus, despite committing to the Buckeyes. When do you plan to visit OSU? I'm taking my visit September 12, that's when they play USC.
You are being recruited as a WR, but many think you can be a great DB as well. What position do you like more and where do you think you will play at the next level? Well I'm a guy who loves to make plays. I think I'm a playmaker. I like offense better, but I like being on defense to deliver the blow to whoever has the ball in there hands.
How do you feel about the bad rep the Big Ten gets in the south and how can we expect you to help change that? I think that the Big Ten doesn't get enough credit at all. I'm not sure why but they give it all to the SEC. My big plans when I get to Ohio State is to change all that. My goal is to win the national championship and we will make it happen soon.
What are you concentrating on in terms of your personal improvement as you head into your senior season? I plan on being a leader this season. I plan on going hard every practice, therefore I'm getting my teammates and myself better. Also, I'm trying my best to win it all this season.
What do you plan to study at Ohio State? I'm not really sure what I want to study yet.
What do you like most about Ohio State? What do you want to learn more about when you visit? I like everything about Ohio State. I don't think I need to know any more about them.
What do you want Buckeye fans to know about you that they don't already know? I want all the Buckeyes fans to know that James Louis is a hard worker and I'm going to always give my all on and off the field. That's just the type of guy that I am...and when I get there I'm promising them a national championship.
And now, the highlight reel:
Comments
Good Deal....the kid looks solid
"I like everything about Ohio State. I don’t think I need to know any more about them."
We will see how much he likes walking to class in 30 degrees or less.
This is a good get by tOSU, hopefully he can pull some big DT's from the state of florida, that is one thing the Bucks haven't gotten lately.
This kid is as fast as Percy Harvin???!!!
Or how lovely it is walking to class in the early fall and spring while it is still 90 in Gainsville.
I don't know if there are many people as fast as Percy, but this kid has some jets and athleticism...A lot of people are saying the next Santonio Holmes---I'm ok with that too
I am curious how it effects recruits coming to a marquee game like USC if we get our lunch handed to us. I would like to see that question. Does it make them consider someone else, or are they of the mindset that their talent is a game-changer and things will be different when I am here. At what point does our recent inability to win the big out of conference games impact our recruiting ability with the elite HS players??
"if we get our lunch handed to us"
We won't.
This guy is already my favorite player in this class. Confident, not arrogant.
As long as he doesn't give some stupid speech about some player on some team working harder than anyone else yada, yada, yada... like some other guy from florida, he will remain there.
I personally don't think it has much effect, if any at all. More and more, the majority of truly elite prospects are coming to schools that offer the quickest avenue to play and/or a proven track record of putting guys in the NFL. I think actually 'scheduling' games against top flight competition is more important to them than actually 'winning' those games. Not to say winning isn't important because all these guys are competitive, I just think most of the truly elite prospects weigh a program's track record at putting guys in the NFL above seeking a title - not all of them, but a huge chunk of them. Hell, many of them don't even plan to be at the school for 4 years which already decreases their chances of winning a title.
I love this guy,,,,, and he wants to convince the coaches to bring in players from Florida... how cool would it be to win a few NC's with Florida players.... suck it Urban! LOL
email me at denlingerira@yahoo.com, if you want to play fantasy football
i think a recruit would see it as a chance to come in and improve a team, however i don't see usc handing anything to osu. sept 12 they get f'd up. then UF can get some later if they can get pass the sec.
he does run well after the catch. ive seen him play live and the thing he does really well is catch with his hands.
[...] elevenwarriors Catching Up With James Louis........................ [...]
That's who he reminded me of most on tape . Speed but not mind blowing speed, balance, solid route running, good hands.
I know...How do they wear jorts when its that hot!
O-line is slimming down (read: faster, more mobile), Boren is an angry Yeti, we're getting speed out the wazoo at so many positions, TP is here for a couple more. Goodness is about to happen. I can feel it in my bones. If we can get by U$C and PSU we're golden.
This kid looks solid. We ought to have a bad ass WR core for the next few years. I love stealing these burners from Meyer too. I really would like a chance for the Bucks to meet Tebow of Nazareth in the big one and get sweet, sweet revenge. I feel like the staff is starting to understand the type of personnel needed to get to, and win, the NC. Now just open up the frickin' playbook and smoke fools. No more 1960's ball please.
Good article, Alex!
hurrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
I pray ... I was shell shocked against Florida. I thought "no way again" vs LSU. Then "there certainly isnt any way" against USC last year and gave up on Texas when I was pleasntly surprised. I have season tickets, am a huge fan and always pull as hard as I can for my Bucks - BUT I dont know if I can take seeing all that talent on the field wasted on Tressel-ball losses *again*. I truly hope we see more of the Texas game *from the start* and not *after* three series with a run up the middle on first down nets a loss or one yard. The OL also has to prove themselves to me - Bollman has ripped my heart out after last year's embarrassment of an OL. We definitely need the next-generation new OL coach in here - we are certainly getting the recruits.
USC is undefeated against the Big Ten this decade. No one has come within 14 points.
He looked really good on offense. Good speed and great moves after the catch. He alludes many tacklers and reads his blocks well. On defense, lots of arm tackles, but a good nose for the ball.
... thats eludes, not alludes .... duh
The exposed skin on the side of their head (common in the classic mullet, femullet, and skullet) helps to better regulate their body temprature.
Great to have you aboard, Mr. Louis! Great interview, too.
That's hilarious.
Any of those games played in the Midwest in winter? No, no they weren't. Love to see them play their bowl games in the snow.
Really, if nothing else, all we have to do is beat USC and we'll at least escape the "can't win the big one" stigma.
You forgot the Crocs.
I hope his last name is "Looey" not "Lewis".
Winter? What the hell has that got to do with anything? Dominance is dominance, regardless of the weather.
Stupid, stupid argument. Don't even bother.
Winter is part of football-at least where I come from.
That's great, but winter weather doesn't make up for the talent differential between USC and everyone in Big Ten.
Also to keep cool, they will exercise their 2nd ammendment right.....to bare arms.
Now you're just being silly. Everyone combined in the Big10? Ohio State alone currently has 50 players in the NFL, USC has 39. OSU holds the record (14) for number of players drafted in a single draft. OSU has 7 Heismans, USC also has 7. OSU has had 24 Heisman finalists, USC 12. OSU is the only school in NCAA history to go 14-0 in a season. 9 of USC's 11 national championships have been played at the Rose Bowl, which brings me back to my original point, how convenient. Talent differential? Reality, here's your mirror.
11 warriors is bunch of kids that didn't do squat in high school let alone play any football worth a ticket !!!
only manhood they know about is the sorrows of there girl friends rim job
Oh who could you be talking about!?! That Teabag guy?!?
Might be good for him to get used to the weather if he wants to play on Sundays someday....last time I checked Green-Bay, New York, Seattle aren't exactly warm during the season