St. Vincent Pallotti (MD) three-star offensive tackle Ryan Howerton has announced his commitment to Maryland, becoming the 15th pledge for the Terps in the 2024 cycle.
Howerton, a 6-foot-5, 315-pound tackle, committed to Maryland over West Virginia, Pitt and Virginia Tech as the chance to suit up close to home proved to be too much to overcome.
“It’s close to home. The way my life is, I just feel like I’ve got to stay,” Howerton told IBG. “They’ve been showing me love for the most, I think it was my first offer. It’s always been home, always been welcoming so it always felt like a match. Coach [Mike] Locksley pushing his mission of pushing black people forward, being there for the community. I want to be part of it.”
Howerton becomes the latest addition along the offensive line for Maryland this cycle with now six commits in the trenches, but the latest piece gives the room an athletic piece to bolster the future at the position.
“Mountain, he’s a hell of a kid. Someone who you just want to be on your team,” Pallotti coach Drew Ashley told IBG. “He’s the biggest, most athletic kid I’ve seen. His leadership, his work ethic is second-to-none. He’s just a freak of nature. I’ve known guys who work hard, but they just can’t do the things Mountain can do. It’s a God given talent, works hard, great work ethic.”
Tight ends coach Kevin Sumlin led Maryland’s pursuit of Howerton with offensive analyst Preston Brown chipping in, while the development plan from offensive line coach Brian Braswell left a clear impression over the last six weeks. “He’s seen it. He’s seen the top tier guys and he was able to make them better so God knows what he can do with me.”
Howerton now becomes the latest Pallotti product to head to Maryland, joining former teammates Alex Moore and Daniel Wingate. “He was able to recruit my own guys. You can stay home but you can make it from here. That’s definitely a big part of it.”
Howerton now becomes the sixth in-state commit in Maryland’s 2024 class, joining running back Dejuan Williams, linebacker Keyshawn Flowers, cornerback Lloyd Irvin, offensive tackle Terez Davis and wide receiver Jahmari Powell-Wonson. Davis, another incoming lineman, chipped in on the Terps’ recruiting efforts. “Terez talking to me, telling me we can do it. We’ve already got some of the best guys, and we always say we have the best guys, the best football in high school so if we all stayed home, we could make a run at the natty. I kept thinking about it. We’ve got the guys to do it.”
Howerton is expected to join the program next June with his recruitment now closed heading into his senior season. “Stay in constant contact with coach Braswell with games, gameplan, being around the team as much as possible.”
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