Four-star CB Hayward Howard Jr. commits to Texas over Florida State, LSU, and Miami.
Fans found out before Steve Sarkisian and his staff, or at least along with them.
New Orleans (La.) Edna Karr cornerback Hayward Howard Jr. was waiting to make that phone call until after he committed to the Texas Longhorns live on the On3 Recruits YouTube Channel on Friday.
The 6’2, 175-pounder pledged to Texas over finalists Florida State, LSU, and Miami. Howard held almost 20 total offers, including Auburn, Colorado, Florida, Ole Miss, Texas A&M, and Texas Tech.
Beyond the length and upside that the consensus four-star prospect will bring to the Longhorns program, his recruitment marked a notable test case for the new-look Texas coaching staff in Louisiana following the departure of defensive passing game coordinator Terry Joseph to his hometown New Orleans Saints.
The February decision by Joseph came a month after Texas officially entered Howard’s recruitment with an offer, but new cornerbacks coach Mark Orphey maintained the momentum with assists from two Baton Rouge natives — new edge coach LaAllan Clark and football analyst Malik Antoine.The next day, they came back with the new DB coach and he chopped it up with me. He just kept his relationship consistent with me at knowing I couldn’t even go a day without talking to Texas,” Howard said.
“He always said I was a great player. They liked me for my skill set and they wanted me to to be a great asset to their program, so I said I wouldn’t waste no time — I was just ready.”
Howard’s interest in Texas was evidence in the excitement with which he announced his attendance at the Longhorn City Limits recruiting event in April.
