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Sun Belt Media Day Gives ULM's Louis His Day in The Sun

Sun Belt Media Day Gives ULM's Louis His Day in The Sun

Football Jul 22
By Paul Letlow, ULMWarhawks.com Online Columnist

NEW ORLEANS – To get an accurate and honest progress report on ULM football, Donald Louis Jr. is as accurate a source as you'll find.  

He's one of ULM's hometown football players, now a fifth-year senior, from Monroe (Louisiana) Neville High School. The former Todd Berry recruit is entering his third season as a starting defensive end for fourth-year head coach Matt Viator. 

Let's just say that Donald Louis knows the lay of the land. 

"The fact of the matter is, we have a great football team," Louis said while representing ULM at the Sun Belt Conference's Media Day. "We have the pieces in place and guys ready to contribute. You always have some holes to fill. But I'm extremely confident in my teammates' ability to not only fill those holes but maximize their effort in those roles." 

ULM finished 6-6 in 2018 and was bowl eligible but didn't get that coveted invite. Louis knows the Warhawks probably fell just one win short of their postseason dreams and the missed opportunity has been a driving force during the spring and offseason workouts. 

"Since Coach V has been here, I feel like we've taken consistent steps in the right direction," Louis said. "It's just a matter of being able to fine tune and tweak the little things. The margin of error in our victories is so small. It comes down to the end of the game and a few missed opportunities here or there. Convert them and maybe we come out on top."   

Although he was a Berry recruit, Louis said the transition to Viator four years ago was seamless for him. While at McNeese, Viator recruited Louis too, so the player knew he was getting a quality coach. 

"Coach V and Coach Rob Sale were at Neville and came and talked to me," Louis said. "Obviously, I ended up choosing ULM but not for lack of coaching or anything like that. I know Coach V's record speaks for itself. Coming to ULM for me was more about the fit. Getting Coach V as my coach too since I've been here has been a tremendous plus."    

Said Viator: "I thought a lot about him as a player and a person at the time. He picked ULM but had only been here a fall when I came here."

Louis (31 tackles, 4.5 sacks, 6.5 tackles for loss, 1 forced fumble) started 12 games a year ago, including a breakout performance against Southern Miss that included three tackles for loss, two sacks and six overall in ULM's 21-20 road win. A lineup mainstay who enters his senior year with 24 consecutive starts at defensive end, Louis cross-trained at defensive tackle during spring ball to give coaches the option of having more athletic players on the field at the same time. 
 
"He's been here the whole time and has been a really good player for us," Viator said. "But he's been a really good leader for us too."
 
Viator "recruited" Louis again recently when he tabbed his senior lineman to represent the program at Sun Belt Media Day. He and quarterback Caleb Evans enjoyed the festivities, even joining the Cajun band to play the wash boards during Sunday night's annual Fais Do-Do.
 
"I was filled with gratitude for the honor to be able to come down and be around some of these players and these coaches, but also to be able to represent my team," Louis said. "It means a lot to me because it's an opportunity a lot of people don't get. I'm going to relish it and soak it all in.
 
"And take notes on the competition too."

While he enjoyed meeting student-athletes from other Sun Belt programs, Louis didn't spend much time hanging out with the competition either.  

"It's cool to put faces with names, but when it comes down to it, me being a competitor, I've never been too friendly with the competition," Louis said. "Guys ask me what number I am – 58? So far with everybody, there's been a story. Because when I'm on the field, I'm a competitor. They're like, 'Oh, we remember you.'"  

For local players considering the university in their hometown, Louis is the person to talk to about it. 

"Being a local kid, he's been big for us in trying to move the thing forward," Viator said. "When we first came in, we had Manny Michel as the defensive line coach and now we've got Anthony Camp. He's been 100-percent positive about what we were doing and trying to do. He's someone who got on board quickly." 

Louis never regretted sticking to his roots.

"Honestly, staying at home and playing football made it easier on my family to see me since it's right there in the backyard," Louis said. "I have a little brother. My mom was pregnant with my brother when I was a senior in high school and he's 4 now. My mom didn't get a chance to see me play in my state championship game (with Neville). She was happy she could see every college game at home. It's been a blessing really."

Louis talked about the impact it made on him when ULM beat Arkansas and went to a bowl game in 2012. Honestly, seeing that success played a role in him choosing ULM too. As he prepares for his final season, he wants to be part of a similar program-building legacy in 2019. 

"Guys at Neville see me playing there and see me enjoying myself," Louis said. "They see me playing football collegiately and against some of the teams they watch on TV."

Off the field, Louis received his bachelor's degree in political science in May 2019 and is now pursuing his master's degree in public administration. He has noble goals beyond football too.

"Upon completion of my master's program, I'd like to go to law school," Louis said. "I'd like to open my own non-profit as well and help Louisiana any way I can. Help in poverty-stricken areas where I can. Reach those areas and see how I can help kids in that sense."

 
Donald Louis Jr. - 2019 Sun Belt Football Media Day

 
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