Howard shocked by Andersen departure

St. Louis (Mo.) Ladue Horton Watkins defensive end Nate Howard was already taking additional official visits, but the Wisconsin commit still was caught by surprise with Gary Andersen's departure.

"The news kind of just hit me," he said. "I got a lot of calls and texts saying that he was leaving, but I haven't heard from any of my actual (Wisconsin) recruiters. I'm shocked by it, but I don't know where I stand as far as staying committed and all that. I'll just wait it out and see what happens from here."

Howard has already taken his official visit to Wisconsin, taking it the weekend of the Badger's final home game. Even before learning of Andersen's departure, though, Howard was already scheduling and taking additional official visits.

"The week after Wisconsin I went to Indiana," Howard said. "Then, this weekend I am going to Illinois for an official. January 23rd I will be going to Mizzou for an official, and possibly Syracuse after that."

The official visit to Indiana was just completed this past weekend, and gave Howard another school to compare with.

"I do like (Indiana) and enjoyed it," Howard said. "The coaches are great and the (recruiting) class is really cool also. It's a place I am considering."

Howard said he was still unsure just how high Indiana ranks on his list following this past weekend's official visit. The uncertainty exists in his thoughts about Wisconsin as well, but he will be watching who the Badgers bring in to replace him.

"I definitely will be watching to see what happens now that Coach Andersen is gone. I believed in him and his system," Howard said. "But, Wisconsin has always proven that they are a dominant team. I'll do a lot of considering and looking into it to see everything."

The 6-foot-5, 220-pound Howard keyed a Ladue Horton Watkins team that went 12-2 this past season and made it to the state semifinals.