2023 West Virginia Target Jordan Louie Talks Mountaineer Program, Tavon Austin

2023 running back Jordan Louie (6-foot, 210-pounds) from Meadowcreek High School in Norcross, Georgia spoke to West Virginia Sports Now about his latest offer from West Virginia. West Virginia was Louie’s seventh offer following Arkansas, Arkansas State, Georgia State, Georgia Tech, Louisville and Tennessee State.

“I really like the program,” said Louie. “It’s a good school. It’s a really good school.”

It’s not entirely the program that attracts Louie to West Virginia, but the lure of playing on the same field as one of his favorite players. When asked about West Virginia, Louie turned the conversation towards former West Virginia star wide receiver Tavon Austin.

Austin came to West Virginia as a running back in 2011, but was changed to a wide receiver where he became one of the most prolific stars in college football. He was an All-American in both 2011 and 2012 and was later drafted by the St. Louis Rams with the No. 8 overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft.

“I used to watch one of their players a lot, a long time ago,” said Louie. “Tavon Austin, I used to watch his videos a lot. I kind of watched him and everything like that. I was telling myself, ‘man, I want to be like him.’ I’ve just been pushing and working myself, to get to the point to where I am now.”

It isn’t just Austin that Louie thinks about when he hears West Virginia. Louie praised the fans and the environment at the university.

“The fans and the environment, it’s very loud and energetic,” said Louie. “It’s a place, that I like. It gets me pumped. I actually feel like I can fit in with people. It’s cool. I can feel like I’m at home and I’ve known these people before.”

Louie views himself as a fast, but balanced back that is also a quality return-man. That may sound a lot like Tavon Austin, however it is USC’s Reggie Bush that Louie named as his comparable. Bush was a Heisman winner with USC in 2005 and later a second-overall pick in the 2006 NFL Draft by the New Orleans Saints. Bush would later win a Super Bowl with the Saints in 2010.

“A lot of people see me as a Reggie Bush-like player,” said Louie.

The strive to be a Bush or Austin is fueled by Louie’s competitive nature. Louie spoke a few minutes on how he would describe himself and competitive and teachable were his answer.

“I’m a competitive person,” said Louie. “I’m a very very competitive person. I love being coached up on what I’m doing wrong. I’m a coach able player and my work ethic is through the roof. When it comes to classroom or the field, I give it all.”