2025 commitment Austin Howard eager for return trip to Starkville
2025 Mississippi State commitment Austin Howard was a regular visitor to opposing backfields last season. The On3 three-star linebacker from Bartlett (Tenn.) High School totaled 14 tackles for loss and nine sacks as a junior along with nine quarterback hurries.
Entering his final prep campaign, Howard will carry more in-game duties this season and that includes being the leader of the defense. Howard is rated as the nation’s No. 72 linebacker and the state’s No. 17 prospect by On3.
“We started back last week,” Howard recalled. “Then next week is our first week in pads. They have me at mike linebacker and I am calling the plays and all of that. I will be at edge now and then, too. I’ve been working on my footwork, my reads and being a good leader. Having to be the play caller this year, being able to lead is my biggest thing this year.”
Last month saw Howard flip his commitment from Vanderbilt to Mississippi State, and that decision came not long after his official visit to Mississippi State. Howard plans to be back in Starkville in the coming days for another opportunity to mingle with his future coaches and teammates.
“It’s been great since I committed,” remarked the 6-foot-3 and 225-pound Howard. “It’s all been smooth. I’ve gotten to know them better and it’s been a good transition. I plan to be there this week for the cookout and Geron (Johnson) is going with me, too. It should be a fun time to be around the guys again.”
Speaking on his Bulldog future, one of Howard’s factors for choosing State centered around his trust in defensive coordinator/linebackers coach Coleman Hutzler. And he feels like Hutzler will put him in the best position possible to succeed at the next level.
“My talks with Coach Hutzler have been good,” Howard explained. “He talks to me about being a big contributor for them and I know he will put me in the right place to help the team.”
Along with Howard, the Bulldogs have put together a strong linebackers class thus far in this recruiting cycle. He joins the likes of On3 composite four-star Tyshun Willis, On3 three-star AJ Rice and juco linebackers Kevonte Henry and LaKendrick James. It’s a group that has Howard excited about the possibilities for all of them in the Maroon and White.
“Our linebacker class is going to be great,” added Howard. “We’ve got a lot of good 2025 linebackers coming in. Everyone is ready to get there to compete and it’s going to be nice.”
Before committing to State, Howard had a productive summer that produced new SEC offers from State, Tennessee and Ole Miss. He noted that other programs are still recruiting him but he feels confident about his State decision.
“Ole Miss is still talking to me,” Howard mentioned. “Then Vandy still talks to me all the time and they reach out almost every day. Tulane is also still talking to me, too. But I am very solid with State and nothing has changed there.”
