Interview: Hard Hitting 2018 Florida LB Rosendo Louis Drawing National Recruiting Interest

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

There is nothing worse for a running back than playing against an upset linebacker who is on fire. After talking to Class of 2018 rising star linebacker Rosendo Louis, opposing Florida ball carriers beware.

Louis has everything in the world going for him after a standout sophomore campaign. The 6’2”, 235 pound, talent finished the year with 42 tackles, 26 solo, six tackles for a loss, three sacks, one pick, and one pass deflection for Deerfield Beach High School. Louis’ tough play helped the Bucks to a 10-2 mark with a run into the second round of the 8A playoffs before falling to Flanagan.

Playing at a high level against some of the top players in Florida has brought college coaches to the yard. The hard hitting linebacker has 11 offers extended with teams like Georgia, Rutgers, N.C. State, Bowling Green, Ohio, South Florida, Temple, Charlotte, Syracuse, LSU, and Wisconsin all too willing to except his verbal commitment when the time comes. Talking to Louis, one gets the feeling that all the accolades and attention are about to be heavily backed up on the field in 2016.

In a Recruiting News Guru stylized interview, I sat down with the three-star recruit covering his preparations for his junior season and received a recruiting news update.

Interview

Rosendo, you handed out a lot of headaches last year to ball carriers. Before the season started did you have an idea you would be such a big piece to Deerfield Beach’s 2015 season?

“I did. They asked me to come in here to play linebacker. They only had one middle linebacker.”

You played some inside and outside linebacker last year, which do you like better?

“It does not matter to me. I am comfortable playing both.”

You played as a freshman at the varsity level in 2014, right?

“Yes sir. I played at Monarch.”

How did your freshman season go playing at the varsity level?

“It was great playing varsity my freshman year. I learned how fast the speed of the game is and developed leadership on and off the field.”

What are some of the things you do well on the field at this point in your career?

“My strengths are pass rushing and run stopping. I can read plays well. I read my cues off the running back, quarterback, and guards. I study all of them when I watch film so I know what they are going to do.”

What have you been working on this off-season to prepare for your junior year?

“I’ve been working on my pass coverages. That was one of my weaknesses. I’ve worked on getting a lot lighter on my feet.”

What are your goals for the 2016 season?

“I want to do better than I did last year and win state. Those are the only two goals I have.”

Will we see you on offense or special teams this year?

“They are putting me on special teams this year but I don’t think I’ll play offense this year. I’m on punt team. We have not done all of our special teams yet so I don’t know which other teams I may be on.”

Did you go to any college camps this summer?

“Yes sir. I went to Tennessee, South Carolina, Georgia, and North Carolina camps.”

Which camp did you perform your best?

“I performed my best at all the camps but I think it was Tennessee that might be my best overall.”

What did you do at Tennessee that stood out?

“The way I was D-ing up the running backs in one-on-ones and the way I was working with their defensive coordinator (Bob Shoop).”

Did you make any unofficial visits during the off-season?

“Yes. I went to Tennessee, North Carolina, and FSU (Florida State). I went to a lot of colleges (South Carolina, Georgia, Clemson, and Charlotte).”

How did your visit to FSU go?

“It was alright. I liked it. They showed some love. I spent time with their linebackers coach, Coach (Brad) Lawing.”

What about your Tennessee visit, how did that go?

“I loved it. I had a little more time up there. I got to spend time around the players there.”

Do you have any unofficial visits coming up?

“No, not right now.”

How many offers do you have right now?

“I have 11 offers.”

Of the schools that have offered you, which ones are recruiting you a little bit harder than the others?

“I’d say Rutgers and Wisconsin.”

What about the schools that have not offered?

“My coach told me USC is looking at me.”

How do the Bucks look going into the 2016 season?

“We look great right now. We have a lot of transfers that came in. We are getting used to each other right now. I think we’ll have a great season.”

Are there any teams you are already getting pumped to play this year?

“Yes. St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale on Oct. 7) and Grayson (Loganville, GA on Sept. 16).”

What is getting up excited about playing St. Thomas Aquinas and Grayson?

“Knowing that they are two of the top teams in the nation.”

Rosendo, thanks for your time today and good luck with the season.

“Thank you.”

Photo credit: rivals.com; No. 42 Rosendo Lewis stops a ball carrier.

Photo credit: twitter.com; No. 42 Rosendo Lewis at Georgia.

Photo credit: hudl.com; No. 42 Rosendo Lewis in action.