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Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Mr. Football looking hard at Ohio State
Last month, Erick Howard was high on the University of Miami when he visited Columbus.
He toured Ohio State’s facilities. He met with players. He talked with Jim Tressel.
The visit was a hit.
“It was opinion-changing,” Howard said.
That’s good for Ohio State, because Howard is the state’s reigning Mr. Football. He won the award as a junior after rushing for 2,387 yards and 31 touchdowns for North Canton Hoover last season. At 5-foot-10 and 210 pounds, Howard is a little shorter than some coaches would like but makes up for it in toughness. Or, so says Hoover coach Don Hertler.
Howard, for example, plays defense as a linebacker and manages to stay powerful well after halftime.
“He’s a second-half player,” Hertler said.
He likely needs a similar strong late showing, though, to make it to Ohio State or another major program. Hertler said Howard has scholarship offers from Cincinnati, Illinois and Colorado and that most other schools and holding out to monitor Howard’s academic status.
“He’s got a long way to go,” Hertler said.
But, Hertler added, Howard is as motivated as possible. He’s beefing up his extracurriculars, including an appearance in the school musical, and he is making academics his main focus.
If he makes the grades, his college future is wide open. And Ohio State is at the front of the line.
