Miami Prospect Interview: CB Jamari Howard
With seven defensive backs that left via the Transfer Portal, plus cornerback Tyrique Stevenson having turned his attention towards the Senior Bowl and training for the 2023 NFL Draft, the Miami Hurricanes need another outstanding defensive back recruiting class.
The 2023 recruiting haul provided two talented corners in Robert Stafford and Damari Brown, but there was also Cormani McClain flipping to Deion Sanders and Colorado, plus Antione Jackson wanting out of his letter of intent.
For the class of 2024, Miami will once again prioritize cornerback recruiting and defensive back recruiting overall.
One of those primary recruits comes from nearby, as Jamari Howard has been and continues to play for Hialeah (Fla.) Westland Hialeah. He was participating in the SUP7R 7v7 event in Naples, Fla. this past weekend with South Florida Express 7v7, and took a few minutes between games for a brief interview with All Hurricanes.
As for what he believed he’s done best as a cornerback, Howard had a direct answer.
“Being physical at the line of scrimmage,” he said emphatically.
His long arms and quick feet also showed themselves to be key assets during the tournament. This quick video showed just how long Howard has grown to be. He was taller than the vast majority of wide receivers at the tournament, but also provided the ability to pivot and run with speedy pass catchers, too.
Howard has been recruited heavily. Despite many options, he did make an early pledge to Michigan State back in September of 2022. He defined why he made that choice.
“Just connections,” Howard began. “How they (the Spartans) do all their recruiting….I was just the right one to commit at that time.”
As for the coach from Michigan State that was recruiting him, Howard had a relationship with a coach that’s now gone to Ohio State to join Ryan Day’s coaching staff in Columbus, Ohio.
“It was (assistant defensive backs) coach (Gerren) DuHart, but he’s at Ohio State now. It’s (now) really (head coach) Mel Tucker and the defensive coordinator (Scottie Hazelton that’s recruiting me for MSU).”
Did not have quite enough time to dig into the details of all the other schools still coming after Howard (he had another game), but here are some additional recruiting notes.
What was learned that an interesting situation for Howard, as well as Miami head coach Mario Cristobal. The Hurricanes offered Howard last summer, and the 6-foot-2 and 175-pound cornerback has been a target for the Canes ever since.
With DuHart now at OSU, that could open the door even more for Cristobal and the Canes. Plus, there was just the recent hire of defensive coordinator Lance Guidry by the Hurricanes. He came over from Marshall after having an enormously successful 2022 campaign. All those factors have opened the door for Miami more than what it was just a few weeks ago.
Beyond Miami, there are other programs that will probably still be factors in his recruitment like any of Florida, Florida State, Alabama, and Georgia among others.
During the interview with Howard, he was a very open-minded young man and one that’s likely willing to listen to programs that truly commit to building a relationship with him. Look for Miami to be one of those schools.
All Hurricanes will check back in with Howard soon to see what impact Guidry’s hire has made. This is definitely a cornerback prospect to keep an eye on. Howard’s upside is tremendous.