Derrius Guice – People to Watch 2015

When Derrius Guice was 5 years old, he knew he would play football.

“My dad told me that I was going to be the football player,” Guice says. “It was one of the last things he told me before he passed. It motivated me. It put something in my body that never went away.”

You could describe that something as a combination of speed, ability and size that makes football coaches foam at the mouth.

The Catholic High running back garnered more than 1,300 yards this season and an invitation to play in this month’s U.S. Army All-American Bowl in San Antonio.

“It’s something I’ve worked for all my life,” he says of that invite. “I’ve finally been given an opportunity to show my talents to other recruits and coaches. It’ll be a great experience.”

Guice is one of the top five recruits from Louisiana. He’s ranked in the top 100 nationwide. Watch his highlight film, and you’ll see why. He dodges tackles and runs for touchdowns with the best of them. His 40-yard dash time is 4.3. By the time he gets to college, he expects that time will be lower.

The main question on Baton Rougeans’ minds: Will he commit to and sign with LSU?

He is leaving his options open. If he had to decide today, at this moment, he would go to LSU and continue the college’s tradition of a stellar running game. “[LSU] is what I’ve known my entire life,” he says. “I live blocks away from the campus. I’m just taking my time. I have to see what happens.”

Best piece of advice
“Always strive for greatness; never give up. Always stand up for what you believe in.”