According to sources, Irish Illustrated and 247Sports have learned that Notre Dame is set to host a five-star quarterback this weekend. Here’s the latest.
Lafayette (La.) St. Thomas More five-star quarterback Walker Howard, a class of 2022 recruit committed to LSU, was set to take an unofficial visit to Notre Dame for the Cincinnati game, but an injury that Friday night forced him to miss the matchup between the Fighting Irish and Bearcats in South Bend. We told our subscribers that weekend that the trip was expected to get rescheduled, likely for the USC game, and that is exactly what has occurred.
Notre Dame will host Howard this weekend, which will likely be an official visit, for the matchup with the Trojans. The longtime Tigers commit will be on campus following the news that LSU head coach Ed Orgeron will not return in that role next season.
This is a name Irish Illustrated had been tracking for months when we were told that he had a strong relationship with offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Tommy Rees, and it looks like that connection is paying off to at least give the Irish a shot at the 6-1, 195-pounder this weekend.
Howard, who has been committed to the Tigers since June 12, 2020, chose LSU over a ton of top offers across the country. A legacy in Baton Rouge, his father Jamie Howard played quarterback in the early-mid 90’s for LSU and is the third-leading passer in school history and second all-time in career touchdown passes, so it wasn’t too much of a shock when he committed to the in-state program. That said, Notre Dame has always had some optimism that Howard would at least visit South Bend again at some point during his recruitment. He was first on campus back in 2019 for camp and that was an opportunity for him to work with Rees and really get to know him.
Notre Dame already has a quarterback committed this class in Oradell (N.J.) Bergen Catholic four-star signal-caller Steve Angeli. The 6-3, 215-pounder pledged to the Fighting Irish back on March 4. However, Irish Illustrated had always heard some rumblings that Notre Dame could potentially look to add a second quarterback this cycle. For the Irish, Howard has always been the guy that Rees had his eye on. In a perfect world, Notre Dame is able to land both Angeli and Howard and add two quality quarterbacks to the room ahead of the 2022 football season.
When Howard was first set to visit Notre Dame, it was fresh off a game where he totaled over 300 yards and three touchdowns. He then suffered an injury the following week, just a day before he was expected to visit Notre Dame with his father and a few family friends. Look for him to get on campus with his father, both of whom have already been to South Bend before, and for them to give the Fighting Irish their full consideration this weekend.
We’ll see how things play out moving forward, but Notre Dame is looking to make a great impression. The red carpet will surely be laid out and the staff will leave no stone unturned to try and get him to reconsider his pledge to LSU, which won’t be easy. He has been locked in with the Tigers and among the most active recruiters in the class.
Per the 247Sports Composite Rankings, Howard is the No. 23 overall player in the country, No. 1 quarterback nationally and No. 1 prospect in Louisiana from the 2022 class.
Here’s what 247Sports national analyst Gabe Brooks said back in January about Howard and his potential at the next level and beyond.
“Adequate frame with lean build that should add some mass in college. Established a following as an elite camp performer early in high school career before taking over varsity starting duties. Has posted encouraging testing numbers early in career (4.76 40, 4.40 shuttle). Consistent, accurate passer to all levels. Steps into throws and gets great zip on balls to the short-to-intermediate range. Posted stellar production in breakout junior campaign. Threw a lot of reps while also valuing the ball, as evidenced by only one INT per 63 pass attempts (five in 316 throws). Not a true dual-threat but functionally mobile with ability to extend plays outside the pocket. Remains accurate on the move. Squares shoulders and fires even when on the run. Plenty of arm strength but still probably some juice to squeeze out at the top end, which should come with add physical mass/strength. Typically stays on top of the ball but will have one sail a bit every once in a while. Possesses a good QB pedigree. Seems quite polished relative to age and could be a particularly high-floor QB at the next level. Projects to high-major competition with long-term NFL Draft potential.”