McDonogh and Good Counsel squared off on Monday evening in a joint practice and scrimmage as three-star athlete Preston Howard took in his first reps at tight end since his freshman season. The move from quarterback to tight end became much easier once McDonogh added three-star quarterback Kaden Martin, son of Baltimore Ravens’ WR coach Tee Martin, to the 2021 roster. For Howard, he’s ready for the move back to tight end as he feels the “natural” transition in his original position.
“It feels really natural. I’ve played every position on the field my whole life. Just moving from quarterback, it’s really easy to find gaps in the coverages and stuff like that,” Howard told Inside the Black and Gold. “And at safety as well, I feel like I’m good at reading the quarterback’s eyes and I’m a big hitter. I like to hit.” Though he plays both ways for McDonogh, he’ll play tight end in College Park where he’s using his senior season to refine his technique and footwork. “It’s been tough, obviously, with the footwork and quick movements and conditioning and going but it was good.”
Howard’s athleticism was already evident on the hardwood where he started for McDonogh during their spring season, but it also translated once again to offense where he was able to create separation on a pair of routes. Finding consistency in his route tree will be a focus for him heading into his senior season. “There’s a lot to work on. Probably just the precision on my route, making sure I’m dropping my hips and getting my head around quickly and not dropping any balls. Just making sure I get my feet right for Maryland.”
As far as his commitment, Howard announced his pledge to Maryland back on February 21 and hasn't wavered since then. He took advantage of summer to visit back in June and return yet again on July 31 for the recruit BBQ, where he thoroughly enjoyed connecting with the coaching staff. “I love Maryland, it’s like a second home there. I love all the coaches there, especially coach [Mike] Miller. That’s my guy, I’m all locked in.”
The connection between Miller and Howard helped secure his commitment, but the visit back in June gave Miller an opportunity to see Howard in person. “I love what I’m doing up there and I know what he wants me to do, everything is set in stone and laid out for me. We worked out basic turn-around curls, catching balls. I think he was just evaluating me and then I ran some 40s and stuff.” With the opportunity to see the coaches and facilities, Howard left completely sure he found his next home.
“Just so genuine with the love that [Miller] shows me and he calls me, texts me all the time. I feel real loved up there. Especially when I go up there, all the coaches, they’re just so genuine and it’s been like that since the beginning of the recruiting process.” But with him already in the fold, he’ll look to make a more concentrated effort on building the Terps’ class. Maryland landed four-star wide receiver Shaleak Knotts on Sunday, giving the 2022 class the 13th verbal so far this cycle. Howard admitted the Terps aren’t “getting everyone we want,” but he’s been pleased with what he’s seen so far.
“We’re getting a lot of good athletes and that’s what we need to start off with. I feel like we can do better on the linemen side of things but I need to start pushing more offensive linemen and start contacting more.”
With another scrimmage set for this weekend against Archbishop Carroll, Howard admitted it’s been easier focusing on the season with his commitment behind him.
“It takes so much stress off. I don’t have to worry about recruiting, just one coach and what he wants me to do and what he wants me to do when I get there so that I’m ready.”