2023 DT Jamel Howard commits to Wisconsin, Luke Fickell
2023 Chicago (Ill.) Marist defensive lineman Jamel Howard committed to Wisconsin on National Signing Day, he announced on Wednesday. Howard, a one-time Badger commit, opted to sign with Luke Fickell & Co. over Illinois LSU, Miami and Michigan.
The Badgers held his commitment before the coaching change in Madison. Fickell and his new staff in Madison had him visit before the early signing period, and never let up.
“Honestly, they’ve been in it the longest and even with the head coach and staff switch, they’ve still been on me,” Howard told On3. “I got to get into a close relationship with the new staff. I really like coach Scruggs, coach Tressel and coach Fick.”
There was something about the people at Wisconsin that stood out to him both times he considered the Badgers.
“Ultimately, the people and the players,” Howard explained. “My first visit, I got around some great players and some good coaches. When I got my second OV to Wisconsin, it was like a reassuring factor. The coaches there still wanted me and were great. The players were still good people.”
Fickell stood out to him throughout the process.
“Honestly, coach Fickell being a d-line guy and being an upfront guy, he’s a big advocate for the big guys. I definitely feel more safer in his hands,” he said. “He’s well-grounded. You can actually talk to him about anything. I like that during this process he kind of reminded me of my high school coach.”
Wisconsin defensive line coach Greg Scruggs, who has two Super Bowl titles, built a great bond with him.
“They see me playing predominantly the nose position, but the d-line coach is telling me that the sky’s the limit if I do everything I’m supposed to do,” Jamel Howard said. “He’s a real genuine person. He’s fair. He tells the truth all the time. He hasn’t lied to me once during this process.”
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When it came to passing on his other opportunities, the additional time of signing late helped him the most.
“I think that time played a big factor in this because if I wouldn’t have had the time to just process everything and really think about it, I probably would’ve end up making a not so sound decision. I believe right now that this is the best decision for me.”
Jamel Howard gives Wisconsin a National Signing Day win
Marist head coach Ron Dawczak said Jamel Howard flew under the radar despite a big jump in play from his junior to senior seasons.
“I think he can play nose. His quickness and strength will allow him to play the nose,” Dawczak told On3’s EJ Holland. “But I think he can also play the 3-technique. He can play anywhere in the interior of the defensive line. He’s very quick and can disrupt run games with his strength and ability to split blockers. He’s going to move the pocket with his pass rush. He’s going to get that interior pressure. He’s an asset in both aspects. He’s tremendously talented.”
Jamel Howard is ranked as the No. 109 defensive lineman and the No. 24 overall recruit in the state of Illinois, per the On3 Consensus.
