2017 Katy OC Hayden Howerton Heading to SMU
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @HogManInLA
SMU head coach Chad Morris added another key piece to his 2017 recruiting class on Monday when he flipped in-state center Hayden Howerton away from Rice.
Howerton, listed at 6-4, 260 pounds, brings a lot of experience against tough Texas talent to the Mustangs class. The lineman helped Katy High School to a 10-3 record in 2016 making a three-game run into the playoffs before a tight 20-17 loss to North Shore on Nov. 25.
SMU fans found out about their new commit via Twitter with a written post, “Thank you to everyone who has supported me throughout all of this” followed by a statement:
Howerton, despite his three-star status, is one of the more highly recruited players in the country with nearly 30 scholarship offers. Of the many hoping to convince him to sign with their program includes. Cal, Colorado, UTSA, Kansas, Houston, Columbia, Indiana, Colorado State, Houston, Memphis, and Nebraska.
Rice secured Howerton’s offer on April 11, within two weeks of landing offers from Houston, Nebraska, and Memphis.
The Mustangs 2017 recruiting class is ranked No. 72 in the nation by 247Sports, No. 6 overall in the AAC. Rivals thinks more highly of the collected talent rating the group No. 63 in the nation.
SMU Mustangs 2017 Verbal Commitment List (16)
SS Ar’mani Johnson, 6-0, 180, Ridge Point HS, Missouri City, TX
SS Delano Robinson, 5-11, 185, Ryan HS, Denton, TX
CB Justin Guy-Robinson, 5-10, 159, Pearland HS, Pearland, TX
LB Shaine Hailey, 6-0, 205, Bishop Dunne HS, Dallas, TX
DE Jordan Gipson, 6-2, 240, Bay City HS, Bay City, TX
DE Noah Jones, 6-4, 255, Lancaster HS, Lancaster, TX
DE Harrison Loveless, 6-3, 258, Cypress Ranch HS, Cypress, TX
DE Toby Ndukwe, 6-2, 215, George Ranch HS, Richmond, TX
OC Hayden Howerton, 6-4, 260, Katy HS, Katy, TX
OL Alan Ali, 6-5, 275, Timber Creek HS, Keller, TX
TE Cade Brewer, 6-3, 223, Lake Travis HS, Austin, TX
QB Charlie Brewer, 6-1, 188, Lake Travis HS, Austin, TX
QB D.J. Gillins, 6-3, 223, Pearl River C.C., Poplarville, MS
ATH Elijah McQueen, 5-9, 173, Terrell HS, Terrell, TX
ATH Kayce Medlock, 5-9, 190, Arp HS, Arp, TX
ATH/QB Tyler Page, 6-0, 180, Friendswood HS, Friendswood, TX
Photo credit: Katy News; No. 75 Hayden Howerton, Katy team captain.