More interest for Rivals250 LB Howard

There has always been a lot of interest in Rivals 250 prospect Darrien Howard of Dayton (Ohio) Chaminade-Julienne, but a number of teams are waiting to see if the 6-foot-2, 245-pounder is better suited for the linebacker or defensive line positions. His performance two weekends ago at the NIKE Camp may have helped answer those questions for several teams.

"From a performance standpoint I did what I went there to do and that's to prove to people that I don't have to play with my hand down," Howard said. "I am fit to play linebacker and that's what I want to play is linebacker."

Howard does hold 10 offers from the likes of Cincinnati, Illinois, Indiana, N.C. State, Pitt and West Virginia. Additionally, Purdue, UConn and Kentucky have come through his school in the last week. The interest from the Boilermakers has just started.

"I didn't get to talk to them, but my coach said and they think I am a pretty good player," Howard said of Purdue. "They have seen my film and were thinking about offering me, but were not really sure yet. I guess they think they are too late in the game to offer me.

"I would encourage them to [offer] because right now all my offers are all equal. I don't have any favorites right now. I feel like if they were to take a chance on offering me, I would show them as much interest as all my other offers."

Other schools that are showing increased interest include Ohio State and Kentucky. Howard plans to be in Lexington later this month.

"They want me to work out for them May 27 at the Sunday Showcase they are having on Memorial Weekend," Howard said.

After the Kentucky camp, Howard plans to attend camps at Ohio State, Tennessee and Alabama. He is also looking into unofficial visits to Cincinnati and Indiana this summer. A decision is not expected until the fall, at the earliest.