Phillip Howard, a 5-foot-11, 175-pound senior from Robbinsdale (MN) Copper, signed with Minnesota last month. Howard helped lead the Hawks to a 6-3 mark this past season, losing to Park Center 48-37 in the first round of the playoffs.
Howard also plays basketball as he helped pace the Hawks to an 18-8 mark on the hardwood, losing to Hopkins 87-82 in the Section 6AAAA title game.
Gopher Hole caught up with Howard recently to learn more on his signing and expectations as a freshman.
Gopher Hole: You signed your letter of intent recently. What was the feeling like when you finally got your college choice out of the way?
Phillip Howard: It was a big relief, even though I was one of those “early-committed” guys. It was a big accomplishment for me. As a kid, growing up, you always wanted to play college football, so it was a dream come true.
Gopher Hole: I know that you committed early, but did you like the recruiting process or did you see how it could get tiring after a while?
Phillip Howard: Yes, I loved the process, but some kids can handle a long process, some kids can’t. I loved the process. I’m not going to say I couldn’t handle it. I felt like it was my time to choose my school.
Gopher Hole: In hindsight, after you glad that you committed when you did?
Phillip Howard: For the most part, yes. Yes, I am glad that I committed when I did.
Gopher Hole: You had a terrific year this season and had one of the best records in recent memory at Cooper. How pleased were you with your senior season?
Phillip Howard: I mean there is always room for improvement. Hopefully, those guys can do something better next year, but we are happy with what we did last year, but we know that we could have done a lot better.
Gopher Hole: Did you always play football growing up?
Phillip Howard: I am actually a baseball guy.
Gopher Hole: Are you still playing baseball or are you done with that sport?
Phillip Howard: I didn’t actually play last year. I took the year off. I might play this year. I don’t know.
Gopher Hole: Do you come from an athletic family?
Phillip Howard: My dad played. He was a high school baseball player and he played a little football, not too much. He was a basketball player. My mom didn’t play sports and my little sister plays basketball. My older sister used to play basketball.
Gopher Hole: Is that where you got the love of baseball from your dad, since he played?
Phillip Howard: Yes.
Gopher Hole: What do you love about football the most?
Phillip Howard: The physicality that comes with it. You are able to take out your anger in a game. You get away from it all.
Gopher Hole: When you made your official visit, what was your impressions of Minnesota?
Phillip Howard: I just loved the atmosphere. I loved the place. Loved the coaching staff. Loved the players. Made me feel just how I felt when I first visited on my unofficial. Just like it was home. The players made me feel welcome. The coaches made me feel welcome. They made me feel like I was a part of the family already.
Gopher Hole: You visited the same weekend as a lot of the other Gopher recruits, right?
Phillip Howard: There were quite a few. Thomas (Barber), Carter (Coughlin), Tyler (Johnson) and Kamal (Martin). I know that I am missing a few.
Gopher Hole: I know that the Minnesota kids have all bonded with Carter putting together some events where you have gotten together away from football and build a close bond. Does that make it even more special going to Minnesota with a lot of in-state kids?
Phillip Howard: Yes. It makes it a special thing getting close to those guys even outside of football. You build relationships and friendships that most people don’t build until you report to camp. We are building relationships even before we step on campus.
Gopher Hole: Do you think that is going to help you guys when you all get there in the summer? Do you think that it is going to help having those ties already?
Phillip Howard: I think it is going to help a lot.
Gopher Hole: You committed before the start of the season and obviously, there were some coaching changes. What was your initial reaction when you heard that Coach Kill was going to be retiring?
Phillip Howard: It was a surprise, but it was for health reasons. Can’t fault him for anything, but Coach Claeys took over. We believed in him and stuck with our commitments and stuck with the Gophers
Gopher Hole: I don’t know how much of a relationship you had with Coach Claeys before that, but what was the reaction when you heard that he was going to be named the new head coach?
Phillip Howard: My reaction was that he probably has the same vision as Kill. He was on Kill’s staff for umpteen years, so he was the next guy up. He should be a great guy.
Gopher Hole: Have the Gopher coaches talked to you much about your role next year?
Phillip Howard: I’ll be playing receiver.
Gopher Hole: They have had some changes on the offensive side as well. Have you gotten to know some of the new coaches like Coach Johnson, the new offensive coordinator?
Phillip Howard: I haven’t yet gotten to know Coach Johnson really too much.
Gopher Hole: What things are you going to be working on now that your season is over to get ready to play college football? Obviously, it is an adjustment from high school to college football.
Phillip Howard: I’ll be working on strength, trying to get stronger for the Big Ten. Got to get ready for that. Speed. Quickness. All that. Endurance stuff. Just to come in and be ready.
Gopher Hole: How pleased were you with how things went basketball-wise this season?
Phillip Howard: I was pleased with the new coaches. They did a great job of putting this team together after a couple of down seasons.
Gopher Hole: How about your own individual play?
Phillip Howard: I just play my role.
Gopher Hole: You mentioned playing wide receiver in college. Had they talked to you before about playing other positions or had they focused mostly on wide receiver?
Phillip Howard: Before I knew, it was mainly “you are an athlete, we don’t know where we are going to put you yet.” When I went to camp, they put me at DB and receiver and as the camp went on, they told me that I was going to be a receiver.
Gopher Hole: Do you think that it helps you that you can maybe play multiple positions where someone who is strictly a receiver, but doesn’t play anything else?
Phillip Howard: Yes, sir.
Gopher Hole: What does it mean to play for the home state school?
Phillip Howard: That is a good question. I think that it is going to mean a lot. A lot of young guys who looked up to you as a high school player get to see you playing for your hometown team. They can dream about playing for the hometown team like me. It is going to mean a lot for me, my family and people who have looked up to me. I know that they are going to be watching.
Gopher Hole: How nice will it be to have those family and friends at the games?
Phillip Howard: It is going to be great, because they don’t have to go too far. (Laughing)