The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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66 THE WOLVERINE NOVEMBER 2021 COMMITMENT PROFILE I t was only a matter of time before Jett Howard joined his father (head coach Juwan) and brother (sophomore Jace) at Michigan — or so everyone thought. In the end, that's exactly what happened when the younger Howard pledged to the Wolverines Oct. 13 over George- town, Tennessee and N.C. State, all schools he visited before announcing. When it finally came time for a de- cision, Tennessee was really the only school with an outside shot, after head coach Rick Barnes had done a great job recruiting him. The family ties and what Michigan had to offer won out, though, and Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Acad- emy's Howard (6-7, Rivals.com's No. 35 senior nationally) became the fourth pledge in the class, joining Fairfax, Va., point guard Dug McDaniel (5-10, No. 71); St. Louis forward Tarris Reed (6- 8, No. 45); and Floridian Gregg Glenn (6-7, No. 77). "They were both good pro- grams. It really just came down to the atmosphere and where I 'm co m fo r ta b l e , h o n e s t ly," Howard said. "Tennessee, I was so locked in on them because of Rick Barnes and their culture, his background, how he's got- ten so many guys to the next level. I'm really good friends with [Volunteers freshman point guard] Kennedy [Chandler], and it was such a good situation." Shortly before his announcement, though, he sat down with his father. If he didn't know before then he'd be a Wolverine, it didn't take long. "My dad and I had a moment where we went over everything. He pretty much gave me his perspective on things, and I agreed with him," Howard said. "It came down to if I have an opportunity to play and contribute in a way my first year. I was looking into that, too." 'Opportunity' being the key word. His dad also made it clear to his son he wouldn't be handed anything, some- thing Jace reiterated in conversations with his brother. "He said, 'Man, it's great — hon- estly,'" Jett noted of big brother's feed- back. "He doesn't treat him like his son or anything. He just keeps it profes- sional. He's like a normal coach in a way, even though he's your dad. I liked that." But he should have a chance to play a big role at the next level if he contin- ues to improve like he has the past two years. Once considered a spot-up shooter first, Howard took it upon himself to show the rest of his game this summer. He averaged 10.5 points per game in a COVID-limited season and shot nearly 41 percent from three-point range at IMG, and then thrived throughout the summer, culminating with an outstand- ing showing at the NBA Players Asso- ciation Top 100 Camp in July. He aver- aged 11.4 points, shot 36.4 percent from long range despite playing on a sprained ankle and showed more of his game that many suspected he had, but didn't often get to see. While his IMG teammates did most of the ball-handling, Howard became a sniper on the wing. He was just waiting for his opportunity to shine. "I felt like I was always doing that; I just didn't get a chance to show it on a national stage," he said. "Growing up, I really had that in my game — I just re- ally never got to display it. Schools like [former home Hollywood, Fla.] Univer- sity School, IMG, playing with a lot of great guys, I felt the way I could stay on the court was to hit open shots because they'd draw so much attention. They are really playmakers, so I was just really becoming that. "But I felt like I could do much more, and I showed it at practice. I wanted to display it this summer because knew I could go at certain guys and was capable of doing so. That's really why [I broke out]." Several schools noticed, and Juwan Howard insisted his son see what else was out there be- fore he decided to join his dad. Though it was always likely to be Michigan, Tennessee and others got their shot. "I do think him enjoying the recruiting process and taking these visits to other schools actually helped him out along the way," AAU Nightrydas Elite coach Rasheed Wesley said. "One thing that his dad told schools when he got at Michigan was, don't be afraid to recruit his son, which I thought was huge." Just as huge — the youngest Howard's potential impact at Michigan. "He can play the one, two or three," Wesley said. "He can get it, push the ball, run the floor, spot up in transition, penetrate and kick. [Michigan's] style of offense is great for him." Howard is excited to get to Michigan, but he's got one goal first — a prep na- tional title at IMG. Then it's off to play for dad and pursue titles there, work his butt off and be coached hard, just like everyone else. "I'll have to earn it, no doubt," he said. "He's never promised me anything. That's what I loved about it, because I think a lot of coaches sell a dream … no disrespect to any other coaches." In the end, it just so happened — as it so often does — that father really did know best. — Chris Balas Another Howard, Jett, Joins The Michigan Basketball Family The four-star Howard, who is rated as the nation's No. 35 overall prospect, will join father Juwan and older brother Jace, a sopho- more guard, in Ann Arbor. PHOTO BY GARRETT ELLWOOD/USA BASKETBALL