4-star quarterback commit Walker Howard says 'I'm still LSU'

Lafayette (La.) St. Thomas More quarterback Walker Howard has been pledged to LSU for nearly 18 months. The four-star signal-caller was the Tigers’ second commit in the 2022 class for head coach Ed Orgeron. And despite Orgeron not returning as LSU’s head coach next season, Howard says he remains committed.

“I’m still committed to LSU right now,” Howard said Friday on the Jordy Culotta Show. “I’m still LSU. Nothing has changed. I didn’t tweet that out (like other commits) … but those are my guys; those are my best friends committed to that school right now. I’m hanging on right now.”

The 6-foot, 185-pounder is the No. 34 overall player and No. 4 quarterback in the 2022 class, according to the On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

Speculation has run rampant that Howard could be considering other options after Orgeron’s firing. He visited Notre Dame in October, but hasn’t yet visited any other campuses.

“It was awesome; Notre Dame’s just a different place,” Howard said of the trip. “It’s unique, and it’s just different than the SEC. But it’s definitely not Death Valley. That’s for sure.”

His dad, Jamie, a former quarterback at LSU himself, told On3 Director of Recruiting Chad Simmons that the Notre Dame visit was impressive.

“We had a great time,” Jamie Howard said. “We got to spend some time with Coach (Brian) Kelly and get a good feel for that campus and the atmosphere and got to meet a lot of the recruits in the class.”

The LSU alumnus said he has “all the confidence in the world” that athletic director Scott Woodward will make a great hire for the head coach position.

But Howard added that as the father of a quarterback, there are a lot more factors to consider beyond just that the coach is the best one of the job.

“It might be the best coach for LSU but it might not be the best coach for your son,” Jamie Howard said.

Walker Howard, other LSU commits remaining patient

Prior to the announcement of Orgeron’s impending dismissal, the Tigers already had 15 players committed for the 2022 class, including nine players ranked among the top 300 nationally. Only one prospect has flipped to another school — wide receiver Aaron Anderson — who committed to Alabama. Howard said the rest of the group is waiting to see who athletic director Scott Woodward hires before any decisions are made.

“I know everyone’s just being patient, and we’re trying to figure it all out,” Howard said. “That’s really the only thing we can do right now because we don’t know who our coach is. … And there’s different names floating around and a new name going through every single day. We’ll see what happens, but I know they’re going to get the best one in the country. There’s no question about it.”

LSU coaches still staying in contact

Howard said the group remains in almost constant contact through group messages. And although they’re still in the fold, all the uncertainty has been stressful.

“It’s pretty crazy, but like I said, I’m staying close to the commits,” Howard added. “We talk every day during the week. It’s just kind of stressful not knowing who the guy is going to be. I know they’re going to bring a great coach in, and it’s just a matter of time to wait to until the end of the season or whatever time they can announce who they’re going after.”

LSU’s coaches, including the assistants who will likely be replaced when a new coach is hired, continue to recruit and stay in contact with the commits.

“It is such a bummer that all the coaches you’ve built relationships with, it might not work out for them,” Howard said.” It is kind of sad talking to them. I get kind of bummed out when I reach out to them because those are my people … they’re doing a great job, the best they can do for sure.”

Walker Howard told Culotta that he still plans to enroll this spring at whatever school he ends up signing with. For now, he’ll be back at Tiger Stadium again tomorrow to see LSU host Arkansas.