OUR Q&A

PBR: What were your expectations about the recruiting process? What were you looking for out of a college program to continue your baseball career at?

Howell: I really didn’t have many expectations about the recruiting process. I just wanted to explore as many options as possible to ensure I was making the right decision. As far as what I was looking for from a college program was a place that was going to turn me in to the best version of myself on and off the field.

PBR: Did location or distance from home play a factor in your decision?

Howell: Location was something my family and I discussed and we decided that as long I felt that the school I chose was the right place for me it didn’t matter.

PBR: When did the recruiting process really start to heat up for you? Where did the school you committed to first see you play?

Howell: My recruiting process started to pick up after the summer of my sophomore year. Coach Marcuzzo first saw me play my freshman year during a small showcase event that Nebraska was having. About a year later I went to another showcase up in Lincoln and that’s really when I began to gain interest from Coach Marcuzzo. He said he’d keep in touch with me throughout my recruiting process and he stayed true to his word.

PBR: What do you like most about the program you chose, and what were the key factors in making your decision?

Howell: I really think the deciding factor me was the Coaching staff. Being a pitcher and seeing Coach Faulds resume as far as pitching goes made it a pretty easy decision. Also having Coach Salisbury, who played for Faulds during his time at Ohio, on the staff was something I really liked because they both know what it takes to develop highly successful arms. As for the rest of the staff, Coach Marcuzzo and I have been in touch for quite some time and as soon as he took the job at Akron he was eager to get me up there to see campus. Coach Witt and Coach Kellen are also super great individuals that have come from successful programs and know what it takes to win.

PBR: What other schools were on your short list before you made your final decision?

Howell: A few schools on my short list were Barton CC, Missouri Western, and Hutch CC.

PBR: Who is the best player you have faced in your state? What about them makes for a tough opponent?

Howell: One guy that immediately comes to mind is OF Ashton Larson (St. Thomas Aquinas, 2023; LSU). Got to play him my sophomore year in a regional game and I remember him having like four just absolutely ridiculous plays in the outfield and missing a home run by about two feet. Another name that comes to mind is LHP Bryson Vawter (Seaman, 2023; KCK CC). We got to play him a couple times this past high school season and he is one of the more difficult arms I’ve ever had to face, plus he gets it done at the plate too.

PBR: At what point in your career did you realize you were a college-caliber player and became serious about taking your game to the next level?

Howell: Playing in college was something I always believed I could do but I think it became a reality for me right at the beginning of my junior year. That’s is when I picked up my first offer and started gain interest from multiple schools.

PBR: What advice would you give to young baseball players striving to get where you are?

Howell: I would tell them that they get what they give. Meaning that if they want success they need to be willing to work hard for it because it does not come easy. 

PBR: What is the most memorable moment in your baseball career to this point?

Howell: I would say my most memorable moment was closing out the game against a talented Saint James roster and being a part of Lansings first playoff win since I’ve been in high school.

PBR: Preview your high school team's season for us. How do you feel your team will be?

Howell: I think we are going to be a tough team to beat this year. We were a young team last year and we are returning almost all of our starting nine along with every one of our arms so I’m excited to see what we can do!

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