Interview: Interest Growing Fast for Los Angeles 2018 CB Aaron Howard

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

Three years of California varsity football experience is about to come to a high point during the 2017 season for cornerback Aaron Howard. The Cathedral High School standout is carving out a niche for himself as a shutdown corner while proving he can come up and stop the run leading to more and more recruiting doors opening up.

Opposing California high school teams tried to pick on Howard during his sophomore season but failed. Howard ended the 2015 season with 58 tackles, 14 tackles for a loss, four interceptions returned for 110 yards with one pick-six, six passes broken up, and one field goal blocked. During the 2016 season, teams still tried testing him failing once again allowing the 5-10, 165 pound, rising star to tally 43 tackles and three tackles for a loss while knocking away 16 passes with one interception.

The Phantoms went 11-2 in 2015 and 11-1 in 2016 giving college coaches ample game tape to watch on Howard. Interest is starting to heat up for the first team All-League corner with programs like Arizona State, Nevada, Cal-Poly, Montana State, Illinois, and Washington State coming around.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down with one of the rising stars in the southern California area covering his junior campaign with an update on his off-season plans and recruiting process.

Interview

Aaron, how did your junior season go overall?

“It went pretty good. I think I got a lot better from the beginning of the year to the end. I was better at man and I got faster.”

How else did your game improve on defense?

“I worked on my hips and getting out of my breaks faster. I worked on being more consistent as a defensive back.”

Will you stay at corner during your senior season or move to a different position?

“I’ll play corner and safety.”

Will your role expand to offense next season? I know you caught one pass during your junior season.

“Of course. Whenever they needed me I went in last year. I played a little bit last year but I’ll play a lot more receiver this year.”

Will your role on special teams increase? I know you had one punt return for 14 yards in 2016.

“Of course. I’m focused on being the man for my team. I’m focused on being a great team player and being a great team captain.”

You’ve already been selected as a team captain?

“Yes, sir.”

Congratulations.

“Thank you.”

Over the past two years, who has been the toughest receiver you have gone up against?

“Jamire Calvin (four-star 2017 Washington State signee). Going up against him every day in practice was crazy. He was one of the best wide receivers in the country. He made me a better defensive back. Arex Flemings (three-star 2017 Oregon State signee) was tough too. Both of those guys pushed me to be better.”

What is the focus of your off-season workouts?

“Just like last year, I’m trying to get better at everything. I’m working on my eye discipline, getting faster, my route running, and catching the ball. I’m working on everything I can do to be the best player I can be for my senior year.”

Which schools are showing recruiting interest in you?

“A lot of colleges have come up to school so far. Nevada, Illinois, Washington State, Cal-Poly, and Montana State are some of the schools that are showing interest.”

Did you take any game day visits in 2016?

“No. I was supposed to go to Washington State but it did not work out.”

Do you have any visits planned coming up?

“I’m going to Arizona State for their Junior Day.”

What has you excited about that visit?

“Honestly, they are close and ASU seems like a really good school to go to for college.”

Do you know which camps you may attend this off-season?

“Yes. I’m going to the Nike LA Opening Regional, a Rivals camp, a B2G camp, and to Nevada for one of their camps.”

Are you playing any other sports for Cathedral?

“I’m running track and I’m thinking about playing baseball.”

Which events in track are you going to run?

“The 100, 200, 4×4, 4×1, and maybe the 400.”

That’s a heavy workload. Have you started practicing for track already?

“Yes, sir. We practice almost every day.”

Aaron, thanks for your time today. Good luck with your upcoming visit to ASU and with your camps.

“Thank you.”

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Photo credit: recruitingnewsguru.com; Aaron Howard.

Photo credit: B2G Sports; No. 18 Aaron Howard lays out to block a kick (2015).

Photo credit: Los Angeles Daily News; Aaron Howard gets a tackle (2016).