Kansas was first Power Five offer for Howerton

You might say Hayden Howerton is a quick learner. After playing defensive end to start his high school career at Katy he moved to the offensive line last year. He caught on quick and started on the offensive line for the Texas state champions.

Once his film circulated after his junior season he caught the attention of college recruiters. In a matter of a weeks Howerton saw his offer list grow to double digits from division one schools.

“It has been fun,” he said of the recruiting process. “Recruiting is a fun time in your life. All of the schools that have offered me have been good and it is fun to talk to coaches all around the country.”

Back in middle school Howerton played offensive line before moving to defensive line in high school. He credits his position coach for the successful transition and it helped him to get to know his teammates on both sides of the ball.

“I have to give props to my position coach because he did a great job working with me,” Howerton said. “I was able to pick up the offense quickly. We would work almost every day. Playing on both sides of the ball I had friends on the defensive side and now I have them on the offensive side. So now I have a good relationship with a lot of the players on my team.”

His first offer from a Power Five school came from the Jayhawks. Kansas special team’s coordinator Joe DeForest is recruiting the area for Kansas. Offensive line coach Zach Yenser watched his film and immediately started following him on Twitter. Soon the two struck up a relationship and Kansas offered shortly after that.

“I have talked about a lot with coach Yenser,” Howerton said. “I have talked to coach Beaty and coach DeForest who is the coach in my recruiting area. I really love all of the coaches. I talk with coach Yenser on a weekly basis. We’re getting to know each other more and more and the thing about recruiting is building relationships.”

Howerton plans to visit Lawrence for the spring game this weekend. He is still pulling in new offers with his latest two from Houston and Nebraska. He wants to be patient through the process and get to know the coaches recruiting him.

“Right now a lot of people are looking for me to commit,” he said. “I want to look around and go at my own pace. I don’t want to be pressured by anybody. Right now my most important thing is the 2016 Katy Tigers. Wherever I go I would like to be able to play and start. I want to have a coach that I can trust and work with.”

He said he wants to look at a college with a good Business school. After his playing days are over he said he would like be a GA and get into coaching.