American Heritage (Plantation, Florida) running back [autotag]Byron Louis[/autotag] signed with the Florida Gators at 10 a.m. ET on Wednesday, the first day of the early signing period.
Louis flipped his commitment from Florida State to Florida after back-to-back visits to The Swamp, citing the “Lagway effect” as a major reason for his change of heart. He immediately became a vocal recruiter for the program, eyeing five-star FSU offensive line commit Solomon Thomas as his biggest target.
Florida figuring out ways to win helped Louis make the decision to flip from Florida State, where he’d been committed since mid-September. He is an expected summer enrollee.
Louis has rushed for 3,243 yards and 45 touchdowns on 423 carries over 41 games. While not considered a pass-catching running back, Louis reeled in 18 catches for 230 yards as a senior and has 291 receiving yards over his four varsity seasons. He is a strong runner who powers through defenders rather than juke them. Louis can add to that total on Saturday in the state semifinal. A win could set up a matchup with fellow Florida commit Vernell Brown III.
Recruiting Summary
Louis earned a four-star grade everywhere but 247Sports’ standalone rankings; however, the 247Sports composite, which considers all four major recruiting services, grants him that fourth star.
The 247Sports composite puts him at No. 231 nationally and No. 17 among running backs from the class of 2025, while the On3 industry ranking has him at Nos. 237 and 15, respectively.
“A potential workhorse between the tackles with a downhill run style that will break through the first sign of contact,” 247Sports director of scouting Andrew Ivins wrote in a September report. “Quick to pick a lane and will attack holes with vigor. Has a few long house calls on the highlight reel and can certainly find a top gear, but isn’t the most elusive runner when he reaches the second level and has more success powering through defenders then he does trying to get around them.
“Got more and more involved in the passing attack as a senior and should be able to offer some three-down value on Saturdays as he has the build to chip large edge rushers. Effective in short-yardage situations and finds ways to get into the end zone when down in the red zone, scoring 18 touchdowns as a junior while facing stout South Florida-based competition. Projects as a potential multi-year contributor at the Power Four level that will give an offense a physical and reliable option in the backfield.”
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