Northwestern standout Jerry Howard switches college commitment

Northwestern Shrine Bowl running back Jerry Howard announced Monday morning via Twitter that he’s changed his college commitment from East Carolina to Georgia Tech.

Howard tweeted a message that said:

“I would like say thank you to the East Carolina University Coaching Staff for recruiting me and giving me a scholarship. However after talking it over with my parents and coaches, I’ve decided to Decommit from East Carolina University and Commit to Georgia Tech #TogetherWeSwarm”

Howard participated in Georgia Tech’s prospect camp over the summer and ran a quick-enough 40-yard dash time to get on the Yellow Jackets’ recruiting board. They kept tabs on him throughout the fall and Howard did the same. He took in the Yellow Jackets’ game against Virginia Tech on Nov. 12 in Blacksburg, Va., and texted the coaches letting them know he was there.

Offensive line coach Mike Sewak told Howard to make sure he was in Atlanta for the home game against Virginia, so the Northwestern standout made the trek down Interstate 85 last weekend with his mom. After the game, coach Paul Johnson pulled the trigger, offering Howard a scholarship.

“I loved the school because it’s downtown, and I’ve just been hearing so many great things,” he said. “If you get a degree from them it’s like holding gold in your hands.”

Howard’s junior and senior season highlights:

His new destination is historically known for running the football, something that will suit the 6-foot, 215-pound senior. His senior season ended prematurely last Friday in an upset loss to Gaffney in the first round of the playoffs, but Howard still finished the year with 1,053 yards rushing and 15 touchdowns, and a 6.9-yard per carry average. He also caught a team-high 49 passes for 402 yards and three more touchdowns.

Howard said Georgia Tech coaches think he can play A-back - the speedier wing position - in the Yellow Jackets’ triple option, but he also could slot in at B-back, which is more of a fullback-type role. According to 247sports, Howard is the only running back currently committed to Georgia Tech in the 2017 class. That undoubtedly played some role in the change of plans, too.

“It happened at the right moment,” said Howard. “I told myself if somebody was to offer me in December that I’d just flat-out tell them I was not interested, that they would just use me as another body because they didn’t get the guy they wanted.”

This story was originally published November 21, 2016 at 11:10 AM with the headline "Northwestern standout Jerry Howard switches college commitment."