Prospect Watch – Kevin Howard
The next athlete on Prospect Watch is the first from outside the WPIAL. Today’s featured recruit is Kevin Howard, a big-time Wide Receiver from Alabama.
Kevin is listed at 6’3 and 200 lbs. He is a senior at Gardendale High School and as of this afternoon, Howard has been selected to the Offense-Defense All-American Bowl. The O-D Bowl is held in Atlanta on December 30th, and features some of the best prospects in the nation. Congrats Kevin!
Some notable alumni of the game include: Cam Newton, Dez Bryant, Earl Thomas, Golden Tate, Joe Haden, Tavon Austin, and Kelvin Benjamin.
Clearly it takes some real talent to be selected to this game, and boy does Kevin Howard have talent.
Howard is a top 10 WR in the state of Alabama, a state which is known for its football pedigree. He already holds and offer from ACC Rival Louisville, and has caught the eyes of schools such as SEC powers Alabama, Auburn, LSU, and Tennessee, as well as Georgia Southern.
Howard’s favorite college football player is a Louisville standout and a very popular one at that. Lamar Jackson (Also an O-D All-American Alumnus), a Heisman candidate and only a sophomore at The Ville, is clearly a good recruiting pitch to incoming athletes. Jackson has two years of eligibility left (meaning he must return to the Bluegrass state for at least next season) is big in the eyes of WR prospects like Howard. “He is a very explosive player and he might be my QB in the future.”
So what makes an athlete from the Deep South, and someone with Howard’s skill want to come to Pitt? Well, the coach plays a big factor, and Pitt has one of the best. Howard loves the offense Pitt and offensive coordinator Matt Canada run, and he credits coach Narduzzi as a big reason he is considering the Panthers.
When you watch his film, Howard makes a huge impact for Gardendale High School. His ability to high-point the ball puts him among the best receivers in the nation. He is smart enough to alter his routes when he sees the QB in trouble, and of course has the athletic ability to get open against even some of the best high school competition.
He is a lifelong Wide Receiver, and loves that he is being recruited to play the position, because it’s the spot he’s played his whole life.
Pitt is known as Runningback U. But a lot of Panther fans can also claim it as Wide Receiver U. Here is a little known fact lost to the average college football fan: Pitt has the been the recipient of the most Fred Biletnikoff awards since its inception in the early 90’s. The Biletnikoff Award is given annually to the best Wide Receiver in the nation, and Pitt has has some very famous winners, in Larry Fitzgerald and Antonio Bryant.
Howard’s size and playmaking ability causes me to liken him to current Panther wideout Jester Weah. Both are 6’3 and around 200 pounds, with explosive speed, and great hands.
Weah has been a huge staple in Pitt’s offense this year, one that averages over 30 points per game. He leads the team in receptions, receiving touchdowns, and receiving yards. I can definitely see Howard taking this role once Weah moves on, and he would be an immediate favorite among Panther fans.
Like many of our favorite NFL and NCAA wideouts, Howard has a personality too. After his first high school touchdown, he did a dance in the endzone, and it is a moment that will stay with Howard forever.
Check out this video and you will understand why I say Kevin Howard might be your new favorite Pitt recruit:
https://twitter.com/KevinWHoward13/status/788117499606929409
To finish up, Kevin Howard is definitely someone you want on your sideline, rather than one you have to line up against. His athletic ability, playmaking skills, and football IQ, are big reason why this big time recruit hopefully becomes the next great WR to come out of Pitt.
Check out his Hudl film:
http://www.hudl.com/video/3/3906363/57fa5ae10aff7abf2c5277e0
