Delano Howell pulls the trigger

There haven't been too many players more productive over the last two years than Newhall (Calif.) Hart standout Delano Howell. The talented athlete narrowed his choices to Stanford and Washington and made his college choice earlier today.

Howell, 5-10, 190 pounds is a two time all-state underclass selection and is easily among the top players in the West this year. As a junior, he rushed for 1,491 yards and 29 touchdowns and added 625 yards receiving and six more scores. He has also shown during summer passing league that he could project as a very good cover corner or safety at the next level.

Speaking of the next level, Howell decided to pull the trigger today.

"I just committed to Stanford," Howell said. "Stanford was my first offer and that meant a lot to me. They have been recruiting me for a long time, I love the coaches there and I just it's the best fit for me. I found out this morning that I was academically cleared through admissions and committed on the spot.

"It wasn't necessarily something I was thinking about doing for awhile, but I was thinking that if I got the news from Stanford that I was cleared, that was probably where I would end up. I've only been up there once but I'm planning to go up later this summer to take a more extensive look at everything.

"I had a track meet so I took a quick visit and met Coach Harbaugh and some of the other coaches but I want to take another visit and see everything there. I really like Coach Harbaugh a lot. He's young, very energetic and I know I'm going to enjoy playing for him over the next four or five years. I think he's the guy that can really turn the program around."

Howell's older brother Dan plays linebacker at Washington and had been recruiting Delano pretty solidly over the last month as well.

"He wanted me to play with him but I had to do what I thought was best for me," Howell said. "Washington is a great school but I just liked Stanford. My mom is real happy for me too, she loves Stanford and thinks it's a great place for me. I'm just really excited right now. It's not that this was a stressful time or anything, but just knowing where I'm going to be spending the next four years of my life is a huge relief.

"That's why I wanted to do this now and get it out of the way before the summer was over. Now I can just focus on my senior year of football and continue to do well in school. The recruiting process was cool and I enjoyed meeting all the coaches but I'm glad it's over and very excited to be a Cardinal."

As for where he'll play, Howell said he was recruited as an athlete.

"They didn't specify but I would like to give running back a try," Howell said. "If it doesn't work out there, I'm open to playing anywhere they want me. I've always loved running the ball though but we'll just see what happens."