Although he has played just two seasons of high school football, Plantation (Fla.) American Heritage four-star running back Byron Louis is no stranger to competition.
In 2022, Louis battled to receive playing time in the backfield as the backup to Miami signee (and former Ohio State commit) Mark Fletcher, rushing for 439 yards on 55 carries, along with 11 touchdowns. While the 5-10, 180-pound running back will enter the 2023 season as American Heritage’s undisputed starter, Louis is vying to separate himself again this summer while on his second visit to Ohio State.
Louis, who was offered by the Buckeyes last May, said he put together a strong performance on the field while playing for the “House” team – a collection of recruits from different programs – during Wednesday’s seven-on-seven tournament at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center.
“I feel like I’ve done pretty well,” Louis said. “I’ve been pretty active, I made a couple of nice plays, no dropped passes, so that’s good.”
Louis hopes to use Wednesday’s scrimmage to stand out within a talented group of 2025 running backs who hold offers from Ohio State. Joining Louis on that tailback list are fellow four-stars Tory Blaylock (5-11, 175) of Atascocita (Texas) High School, Marquise Davis (6-0, 190) from Cleveland Heights High School and Lamar “Bo” Jackson (6-1, 190) from Villa Angela-St. Joseph High School in Cleveland – all of whom displayed their skills during last week’s recruiting camps.
The Fort Lauderdale, Fla., native can achieve that by strengthening his relationships with members of Ohio State’s coaching staff, something he said he is trying to accomplish while on his three-day visit, particularly with running backs coach Tony Alford.
“A lot of me and coach Tony Alford’s conversations are more of just getting to know each other,” Louis said. “It’s not all football based, just getting to know how he is a person, how he is as a human, as a father, and how he will be able to change my life off the field, not just on the field, and build me to be the man that I want to be.”
Although Louis values the conversations he has with Alford off the field, he has also leaned on the Buckeyes’ running backs coach to improve his game, particularly with his ability to make pre-snap reads and play off his teammates. This was evident midway through the seven-on-seven tournament, where Louis found himself participating in one-on-one drills with Alford.
“On the field, he just taught me how to preread, understand my job and everybody else’s job, and let it work for me,” Louis said.
Louis, who is ranked as the nation’s 185th-best prospect and 17th-best running back in 2025, also holds offers from Miami, Georgia, Alabama and Penn State, among others. And while the four-star tailback is far from deciding on a commitment, he was impressed with what Ohio State’s program, campus and city have to offer.
“I think it’s amazing,” he said. “I love how it’s a college town, and how everybody is so friendly and nice and welcoming.” “I’ll let you all know (regarding a commitment) when it’s time.”
