MOBILE, Ala. – University of South Alabama football offensive lineman Harrison Louden recently sat down with USAJaguars.com to discuss playing in his hometown, where he feels he has gotten better since last season, and which position on the offensive line is his favorite, among other things.

Louden, a senior from Mobile, Ala., has been a member of the Jaguar since the 2013 season.  Last season, he saw action in 11 contest, starting each of the last six at center.  He received seven grades at or above 80 percent, finishing the season with a team-leading 89 percent overall mark.  The 6-foot-5 lineman was also credited with 12 knockdowns and four cut blocks during the 2016 season.

What is it like playing in front of your family and in your hometown?
"It's pretty fun.  My family doesn't have to travel too much except for some away games.  I've been playing at Ladd[-Peebles] Stadium since I was in third grade, so it's home for me."

How much of a benefit was it for you to play in a traditional powerhouse football program like McGill?
"Having played at a program like McGill helped me out because it along with a few other high schools down here are basically run like a small college.  You get a since of discipline and work ethic from attending a school like that, so that made the transition easier for me."

Were there any similarities in what you did offensively in high school?
"We ran basically the same exact offense at McGill, so it was a pretty easy to come in and get adjusted to our offense here."

How has your previous experience prepared you for this season?
"Having that experience last season, you understand how the game works and the speed of the game.  You know more of what to expect.  That's what really helped me out from last season."

How has playing under coach Richard Owens helped in your development?
"He has brought a lot of knowledge to our offensive line having played in the NFL; he is really smart when it comes to football.  He has given us a completely different mentality to the offensive line and really turned it around for us."

How do you feel that you've grown as a person and as a player during your time at South?
"My time here at South has definitely helped me grow and mature more."

Where do you feel the offensive line unit has gotten better since last season?
"We are all a lot smarter now in our second year with coach Owens.  We are also a lot tougher mentally and physically.  We just understand the game better and are better at working together as a unit."

What are some of the strengths of the offense?
"I think the depth we have at every position.  I feel we are really loaded at every position."

With new strength and conditioning coach Lance Ancar, how have you improved from the offseason conditioning program?
"L.A. brought in a whole new attitude and a whole new style of workouts for us and it has changed everything with both out mindset and us physically."

What factored into your decision to come to South Alabama?
"I originally went to the Naval Academy, but I wasn't happy there so South was the first place I thought of because it was just home for me.  I knew all of the coaching staff and I had been on campus many times.  I felt that it was the best place for me."

What are you wanting to do once your football career is over?
"I'm working on my master's in business right now and I plan on going to law school.  I eventually want to become a sports agent."

What do you like to do in your spare time?
"I just like to relax, hang out with the guys or go fishing."

What do you feel will be a couple of keys for the offense to be successful this season?
"We just need to stick together no matter whether it's a high or low and just keep moving forward and stay even keel."

If you could, talk about the challenge of facing stiff competition early and having a Top 10 program like Oklahoma State coming to play at Ladd-Peebles?
"To be part of the best, you have to play against the best, and there's only one way to do that.  You have to play them.  Playing against those teams will help us move forward in that direction.  Having Oklahoma State come to play here in Mobile is going to be nice for the program."

What type of leadership role have you assumed on the team?
"Being one of the oldest guys here, I just try to work hard and keep a positive attitude everyday out at practice and just show them the right way to do things."

You have played pretty much every position on the offensive line.  Is there one you prefer?
"If I had to choose one, center would be my favorite but at the end of the day I can play them all and so wherever the coaches fell I'm needed most, I'll do that."

Who has had the biggest influence on your life?
"I would say my parents.  They showed me a hard work ethic and were just blue-collared people who kept their nose down and kept working."

What other sports did you play in high school?  
"I played basketball and track and field."

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