South Carolina LB likes three
Three-star Hanahan (S.C.) linebacker
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Marcus Howard says his most recent official visit has given
him more to think about.
"N.C.
State was a great trip," said Howard, who visited Raleigh on the weekend of
Dec. 6. "I was pretty much thinking Clemson and Georgia before that, but it
went so well that I've got to put them in my top three now.
"I was
surprised how nice everything was. They're building a great program with a
lot of good facilities. They treated me and my family real nice, too. My
parents liked the way they stressed academics and all the stuff they have
there to help you with your education. I also got to sit down with coach
(Manny) Diaz, their linebackers coach, and watch some film of the way their
system works. He told me I would fit in perfectly with what they're doing,
and that if I wanted a chance for some early playing time, N.C. State is the
place for me. I liked the sound of that."
Howard (6-2, 215, 4.4) may be difficult to pry away from home state
Clemson, however, where his brother, J.J., is a defensive end.
"At first, he was just letting me go through the recruiting process and
staying out of it, but he's talking a whole lot more about me coming to
Clemson now," Howard said. "I know he really wants me to come there and play
with him, but I've still got to make my own decision for what's best for
me."
He said Georgia rounds out the three-way tie at the top of his list. The
Bulldogs' Jon Fabris was in the Howard home Sunday, spending two hours with
the player and his family.
"We had a great time," he said. "Georgia is really making me feel wanted
as well. I like what they've done this year. That's hard to look past."
Howard will visit Clemson (1/10), Georgia (1/17) and South Carolina
(1/24). He does not anticipate a fifth visit at this point. The Gamecocks
are a longshot, he said, because he hears that defensive coordinator Charlie
Strong will be likely be leaving for a head coaching position in the near
future.
South Carolina Top 25 team one
of the top-rated outside linebacker prospects in the South, Howard capped
his senior year with 110 tackles and four interceptions (one returned for a
touchdown). He also rushed for 996 yards and 14 touchdowns. He was named the
defensive MVP of the North-South All-Star Game in Myrtle Beach (S.C.) last
weekend.