Ad Disclosure
Ole Miss quarterback Walker Howard is leaving Oxford.
According to multiple reports, the former blue-chip recruit is heading back into the transfer portal after just 2 seasons with the Rebels. CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz was the first to report the news on Sunday.
Howard was a 4-star recruit out of the 2022 class. The industry-generated 247 Composite ranked him as the fifth-best quarterback and the 40th overall recruit in the class. He starred for St. Thomas More in Lafayette, Louisiana, and initially signed with the LSU Tigers.
But with appearances in just 2 games and only 4 pass attempts for the Tigers in his first season, Howard opted for the transfer portal.
When he committed to transfer to Ole Miss prior to the 2023 season, Howard joined a remarkably crowded quarterback room. Jaxson Dart and Spencer Sanders were the veterans. Austin Simmons enrolled early as a blue-chip prospect.
Howard made just 2 appearances during the 2023 season, throwing 4 passes. This season, Simmons beat him out for the primary backup job. As a result, Howard made just 2 more appearances and attempted only 2 passes.
As a recruit, Howard’s scouting report from 247 Sports suggested a future Day 2 NFL Draft pick. The 6-foot-1 passer has been in school 3 years now and thrown a total of 10 passes. Wherever he goes next, it’s likely Howard will be looking for a chance to compete for a job. Howard has 2 years of eligibility remaining.
With Jaxson Dart departing, Ole Miss will have Simmons competing with 2024 signee AJ Maddox for the starting job in 2025. The Rebels have not signed a 2025 quarterback.
Derek Peterson does a bit of everything, not unlike Taysom Hill. He has covered Oklahoma, Nebraska, the Pac-12, and now delivers CFB-wide content.
