Greg Howell, a 6-foot, 207-pound running back from Coral Gables (FL) High, is expected to be one of the Sunshine State’s top rushers this upcoming season and is planning on attending the Gophers game against Western Illinois this weekend.
Howell runs a 4.54 40-yard dash and bench presses 330 pounds. Gopher Hole caught up with Howell to learn the more about his recruitment.
Gopher Hole: What is the latest on your football recruitment right now?
Gregory Howell: I have been hearing from Minnesota and I finally got my letter from Minnesota. They want me to visit on my bye week, so I am looking forward to that.
Gopher Hole: Do you know when you would visit?
Gregory Howell: Probably my third week of school.
Gopher Hole: They play at home September 14th versus Western Illinois.
Gregory Howell: I believe it is that day.
Gopher Hole: So you just received your official scholarship letter.
Gregory Howell: Yes. I got it like two days ago.
Gopher Hole: What offers do you have right now?
Gregory Howell: Minnesota, Georgia State, FAU, Bryant, Alcorn State, Miami of Ohio Western Kentucky, Louisiana Tech, Fordham and Samford.
Gopher Hole: Minnesota is the lone BCS offer of the group. Does that make it even more special the relationship that you have with them?
Gregory Howell: Yes. I really like that school.
Gopher Hole: What do you know about Minnesota?
Gregory Howell: I know that it is in the cold area. They said that they have revamped the program and I know that it is in the Big Ten, so I guess that is what people like to hear. I feel comfortable with that.
Gopher Hole: Have you even been to Minnesota in your life?
Gregory Howell: No, I haven’t been in the cold yet.
Gopher Hole: Are you talking to Coach Miller the most at Minnesota?
Gregory Howell: I talk to Miller.
Gopher Hole: What has your relationship been with him so far?
Gregory Howell: We have a pretty good relationship. I keep in contact with him
Gopher Hole: Coach Miller used to coach at the University of Miami. Is that how he got to know you? How did Minnesota first find out about you?
Gregory Howell: I believe that he was in the area for recruiting and he came over and watched my football spring game and I think that is where he decided that he wanted me.
Gopher Hole: What do you need to show some of those higher profile programs that you can play at that level?
Gregory Howell: I just have to have an outstanding season. My school wasn’t really on the radar. Pretty low-profile, just a team that was very underrated. They had counted us out. They didn’t expect anyone big to come out, other than a defensive player.
Gopher Hole: What was your record this past season and what are the expectations for the upcoming year?
Gregory Howell: Last year, we were 3-7. We went to the second round because we had a tiebreaker. This year, it is just to win. Win a lot of games. I feel that the chemistry is a lot better and we are a lot more fluid. Everything is running smooth, unlike last year when we changed up our offense again with new kids. Everyone feels comfortable at their position and everyone knows their role and everyone is playing their role. I feel that we should have a nice fluid season and a winning season.
Gopher Hole: What is going to be the main thing that makes you pick School A over School B or C?
Gregory Howell: Basically, the chemistry. First off, is going to the actual school, seeing the campus. Seeing if I like the environment. What it will be like to be around for the next four years. Academically, if the academic programs fit me. What do I want to major in? The coaches who recruit me. Will they try to take me in and take me in under their wings and guide me and watch me grow up to be a bigger and better person? That is all that I am pretty much looking for and a good program that is wanting to win and wants to use me to help them win.
Gopher Hole: What do you see as your strengths as a running back?
Gregory Howell: I always used to say that I was big, but now that I am running track, I got faster and I am more explosive. My strengths are that I know how to get out of trouble. I can outrun people when I need to and I can also run through people, so it is like a total package and I can also catch out of the backfield, so I feel that I have a lot of strengths.
Gopher Hole: What camps did you get a chance to attend this summer?
Gregory Howell: I went to Alabama and Florida State.
Gopher Hole: Do you play any other sports at Coral Gables or are you just football-only?
Gregory Howell: I was thinking about getting back into basketball for my senior year or just sticking with track. That is a decision I am going to have to make probably on the go.
Gopher Hole: You have a 3.0 GPA and a 1070 SAT score. Have you thought much about a possible college major?
Gregory Howell: I have thought about Accounting, but I also wanted to look into something else to do with numbers. One of my strong suits is Math. That is something that I actually really enjoy. I want to major in something that I enjoy and not something that I have to fight to get through.
Gopher Hole: Have you thought about any other schools that you definitely want to visit besides Minnesota?
Gregory Howell: I was thinking about whoever offers me, I’ll take a visit up there because until you visit you never know what you are going to like. You never know what you are going to have interest in. For the visits, I’ll just take them, enjoy myself and just learn about the program and feel more connected so that when I make my decision, it will be something that I wouldn’t regret.
Gopher Hole: Minnesota is the most high-profile school that has offered you a scholarship so far. Would you say that they are your favorite or do you even have a favorite school?
Gregory Howell: I sure like Minnesota a lot. Minnesota and FAU. Those are the two that show the most interest in me.