Howard dominant as a junior

Class of 2013 linebacker Darrien Howard just finished an accolade-laden junior season at Dayton (Ohio) Chaminade Julienne. Now, the 6-2, 245-pound Howard is looking to capitalize on that performance with college programs.

"I just finished my highlight tape, so I'm about to send that out now," Howard said. "Alabama, Tennessee and Michigan State - I'm sending it out to those schools and a couple more."

Howard has already picked up an offer from in-state program Cincinnati. The Bearcats made their offer official in the summer, and Howard has strong interest in their program.

"I'm still interested in them and they're pretty high," Howard said of Cincinnati. "I tried to make it to their last game, but I had a basketball game and couldn't make it down. They came down to our school a couple days ago, and I'm going out there in the off-season and try to catch a basketball game or two."

Howard noted two other schools that have been showing heavy interest in recent months, and they are Boston College and Indiana. He has been in contact with the wide receivers coach at Boston College.

"They [said] I am at the top of their list and they can see me at linebacker," Howard said.

At Indiana, Howard has been communicating with head coach Kevin Wilson over Facebook and is doing his research on the Hoosier's program.

"They're a good program," he said. "They haven't developed all the way yet I would say. They have good players, they just haven't put all the pieces together."

Following his junior campaign, Howard was awarded with Southwest Area defensive player of the year and first team all-state honors. He finished the season with 154 tackles, eight tackles for loss, five sacks and three interceptions