Howell breaks down decision
Offensive tackle Tyler Howell couldn't hide his excitement after committing to Mizzou: "It feels great. Nothing better."
The three-star Butler County Community College lineman made his decision Thursday afternoon. After meeting with head coach Gary Pinkel and offensive line coach A.J. Ricker, Howell knew it was time.
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"I was in a meeting with them a few hours ago," Howell said of the Tigers staff. "I've basically known, since halfway through my visit, Mizzou was where I wanted to go. I wanted to see those other places. When they came back out (to Butler), I realized there was no reason to drag it out. I already knew where I wanted to be."
"They were in the car, getting ready to leave. I walked out to the car, tapped on the window, and he rolled it dwn. And I was like 'I want to be a part of it.'"
The Grizzlies tackle laughed as he detailed what happened next. His first moments as a Tiger were something he won't soon forget.
"They were excited," Howell said of Pinkel and Ricker. "They got out, and, I'm a legit 6-foot-9. That's not no smoke either. I guess it was kind of like a 'bro hug.' They were excited about it all."
Howell's official visit to Columbia was a huge factor in his decision. The connection he felt with the current Tiger players and coaches made it clear Mizzou was the place for him.
"Just how they aren't blowing smoke," he said of what stood out most. "I could tell from the visit that, everything they were saying, they didn't have a reason to lie. It's all real. The family thing, I got to experience that on my visit. That was important to me.
"If they are showing me that much love, and I'm not even there yet...Just being on my visit, everybody that I talked to treated me like I was already committed. You could tell that people genuinely cared. The people in Columbia are good to be around."
Howell chose the Tigers over offers from Arizona State, Arkansas, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, and Penn State. He talked about the chance to play in the Southeastern Conference, admitting it had been a nearly lifelong dream.
"It's huge. People dream about doing that stuff. I can remember when I was young, dreaming about what I wanted to be and wanted to do. Now that I'm getting to experience that, it's huge for me."
With an opportunity to compete against the nation's best, Howell knows the jump from the Jayhawk Conference to the SEC is a big one. Describing himself as a hard worker that wants to get better every day, he believes his impact on the Tiger program is largely up to him.
"Nothing is guaranteed," he said of his role next season. "It all comes down to me just going there and doing everything I can do. The possibility to start, nothing is going to be handed to me."
Howell is rated as the nation's No. 10 junior college offensive tackle by Rivals.com. He had previously planned a visit to Kansas, but has cancelled that trip after committing to Mizzou.