3-star quarterback Mack Howard commits to Utah

All that Columbus (Miss.) Oxford quarterback Mack Howard needed was a visit to Utah. The rest is history. Howard committed to the Utes on Saturday in the midst of his unofficial visit to Salt Lake City.

He is the No. 470 overall prospect in the 2023 class, according to the On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He ranks as the nation’s No. 24 quarterback and the No. 9 junior prospect in Mississippi.

COMMITTED. #GOUTES @UtahCoachWhitt @Coach_Ludwig pic.twitter.com/HWCwJjZUHE

— Mack Howard (@MackHoward_) March 26, 2022

The 6-foot-2, 165-pounder chose the Utes over offers from Louisville, Memphis, Kansas and Middle Tennessee State, among others. He was also receiving significant interest from Miami, Notre Dame, Houston, Ole Miss and Mississippi State.

He originally expected to wait until May to make a decision and told On3’s OMSpirit that he had more visits set up. But the Utes have locked him in. He becomes Utah’s second commitment in the 2023 class, joining three-star athlete Mateaki Helu.

As a junior, Howard led Heritage Academy to a 13-1 record in 2021, throwing for 3,475 yards and 47 touchdowns, completing 73% of his passes. But, after some reflection and talks with his family, Howard felt it was best for him to make a change before he heads off to college.

“The biggest factor for me in the decision is I think Oxford will be the best place to prepare me mentally for next level,” Howard told OMSpirit’s Zach Berry. “It’s the best football in Mississippi and coach Cutcliffe is the best coach in the state.”