A former top LSU recruit could soon be on the field for an SEC rival, with quarterback Walker Howard announcing his transfer destination will be Ole Miss.
Howard announced his decision to depart LSU earlier this month following the Tigers' 63-7 Citrus Bowl destruction of Purdue. Howard saw extended playing time late in that game, one of just two appearances of his LSU career.
The decision to transfer is understandable for Howard, a 4-star recruit out of Lafayette who was set to be buried on the depth chart behind Jayden Daniels, who opted to skip the NFL draft and return for another season, and likely Garrett Nussmeier, who served as the primary backup this season.
"As a kid, I always dreamed of playing at LSU," Howard posted to social media earlier this week. "I never imagined being anywhere else. However, when things happen in life, we have to adjust and keep moving forward."
He shared his destination with a much shorter message: "Hotty Toddy."
It's a disappointing result for one of Brian Kelly's first recruiting wins in taking over the head job in Baton Rouge, but it will be softened by the high expectations for Daniels in this coming season.
Howard's exit to another SEC program means he'll join a growing list of former Tigers QBs now suited up for familiar opponents. Max Johnson opted to transfer to Texas A&M prior to the 2021 season, and T.J. Finley transferred to Auburn a year earlier.
The list of players who have transferred out of Baton Rouge this season has now grown to 15. Here's where they stand:
- QB Walker Howard to Ole Miss
- CB Ralph Walker to Southeastern
- LB DeMario Tolan to Auburn
- CV Jaelyn Davis-Robinson to SMY
- OL Xavier Hill to Memphis
- OL Marcus Dumervil to Maryland
- S Derrick Davis Jr. to Pitt
- OL Cameron Wire to Tulane
- LB Kolbe Fields, undecided
- TE Kole Taylor to West Virginia
- EDGE Desmond Little, undecided
- CB Raydarious Jones to Miss. State
- CB Damarius McGhee to Kansas
- WR Jack Bech to TCU
- LB Antoine Sampah, undecided
