Walker Howard evaluates his chemistry with Ole Miss team after spring ball

Ole Miss quarterback Walker Howard might have a year or two left before he’s starting, with a pair of older quarterbacks on the roster for the Rebels. But the LSU transfer has only taken a few months to build up all-important chemistry with his new teammates at an SEC West rival.

Howard transferred to Ole Miss after the 2022 season finished, and at the conclusion of spring ball he reflected on he’s gone from an outsider to part of the team. And he credited some wicked workouts for accelerating the process.

“We go through fourth quarter, which is brutal workouts. And I feel like you get really close. You just kind of lean on each other when things get and you build that chemistry with the team really quickly. And it was awesome to do that before spring,” Howard said. “And then obviously, during spring, you get to know guys. Get to know them better. And get to compete.”

He also took part in a key ritual for any quarterback: Keeping his offensive linemen well fed and happy.

“I bought all the O linemen dinner, that’s for sure,” Howard said.

Howard feels he has grown a lot during first spring at Ole Miss

With incumbent starter Jaxson Dart and former four-year Oklahoma State starting quarterback Spencer Sanders on the roster, Howard has plenty of opportunities to learn.

He believes he has taken advantage of that during the spring, using Dart and Sanders as mentors to help him learn and grow as a quarterback.

“Both those two older quarterbacks, they’ve done a great job helping me,” Howard said after the Grove Bowl. We got all the analysts coaching there. We got a bunch of guys helping me out every single day. I work with Coach Gilbert up there after every day of film and we get better every single day. Those two guys are pushing me every day.”

Howard was extremely efficient in the Ole Miss spring game. He went 11-for-13 for 184 yards and three passing touchdowns in addition to a rushing touchdown.

“I think both sides of offense, the blue and red teams, I think everyone did a great job,” Howard said after the spring game. “The quarterbacks did a great job, and the offensive line killed it today. I thought our running backs made plays, the receivers, obviously, were out there making plays all day today. It was a good day overall.”