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By Luke Stampini
SouthernPigskin.com Recruiting Analyst
SoFlaFootball.com
SouthernPigskin.com Recruiting Analyst Luke Stampini provides an update on wide receiver/defensive back James Louis.
At the end of July, Delray Beach Atlantic wide receiver and defensive back James Louis committed to Ohio State after a breakdown of communication between Louis and the University of Florida coaching staff ended his commitment to the Gators. The 5-foot-11, 180-pound playmaker was not bashful about his frustration towards the Gator coaching staff at the time.
“They have been ducking my calls and emails for 2 weeks and now that they found out I’m going to Ohio State they blowing me up so I’m done with that,” stated Louis in a text message sent to SoFLAfootball July 29.
Like many speculated almost two months ago, the Florida Gators do not appear to be letting Louis go without a fight. They are not the only school trying to sway the now Buckeye commit. Miami, Minnesota, Tennessee, and Alabama are other schools Louis says he gets phone calls and emails from regularly. The Gator coaching staff had to do the most damage control though. It looks like they have calmed any ill will Louis had towards their program.
“Florida has a great program, a great coaching staff,” said Louis. “I still talk to Coach Billy Gonzales all the time, Urban Meyer. I have a great relationship with them. I still talk to them. You know Florida is still a good school to me, I don’t have anything against them, I still like them.”
When questioned if there was a chance that Louis would sign with Florida come signing day Louis gave a very open-ended answer.
“Anything is possible. I can’t say yes and I can’t say no.”
In midst of Florida trying to repair the damaged relationship, Louis took his official visit to Ohio State a few weeks back. The Buckeyes hosted Southern Cal in prime time. Louis enjoyed his time in Columbus and the time spent with fellow South Floridians.
“I went up there a couple weeks ago, and everything I expected, that’s what it was,” said Louis of the Ohio State campus. “All very good, the coaches staff, everyone was cool, got to spend time with the players and everybody was very cool. I liked it up there.
“I hung out with Duron Carter (St. Thomas Aquinas), that was my host, Jamaal Berry (Palmetto), I hung out with a couple of them.”
While the visit to OSU lived up to expectations, Louis made an under the radar unofficial visit recently and plans to make another this coming weekend.
“I went to the Florida-Tennessee game, what last week, two weeks ago, and I’m going to the Miami game versus Oklahoma this weekend.”
From the sounds of it, the Hurricanes are making a strong push for Louis as well.
“Miami has been after me since day one,” explained Louis. “Me and Coach (Jeff) Stoutland, we have a great relationship, I talk to them like every night. He’s always telling me how bad they want me. You know he’s just a cool guy. I’m cool with all their coaching staff up there, know a couple of their players.”
This weekend Louis and his Delray Beach Atlantic teammates have a huge test when they face Dwyer in a clash of two of Palm Beach County’s best.
“Dwyer is a great team. You know they got great athletes, a lot of great athletes. I just think it will be a good game, we just got to hold our composure, no turnovers, and I think we will come out with a win. If we do that everything will be good.”
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We at SoFLAFootball.com pride ourselves on seeing each and every one of the top prospects in person, if not during the fall in a game from the sidelines, at a camp, combine, or 7-on-7 event. Unlike other sites we do not base our evaluations solely on film or highlights. We want to feel the speed of the game, verify the caliber of talent a prospect if facing, and measure up prospects by being right next to them.
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