Four-star corner Hayward Howard Jr. announced his commitment to play for Steve Sarkisian and Texas football via social media on Friday afternoon.
Howard plays his high school football for New Orleans powerhouse Edna Karr. The 247Sports Composite rates him as the No. 407 recruit in the 2026 class, the No. 33 cornerback prospect and the No. 11 recruit in Louisiana.
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Listed at 6-foot-2, 175 pounds, Howard helped Edna Karr to a state championship last season. His commitment comes shortly after an official visit to Austin.
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He chose Texas from a list of 19 offers that also included Miami, Auburn, Florida, Florida State, Ole Miss and Texas A&M.
Howard’s father, Hayward Howard Sr., played collegiately at Ole Miss.
The 2026 Texas recruiting class now ranks 37th in the country, per the 247Sports Composite. Howard becomes the sixth member of that group and the first defensive back to pledge his commitment to the Longhorns in that cycle.
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Texas Longhorns Head Coach Steve Sarkisian during their first practice of the spring season on Tuesday, March 25, 2025.
This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: 4-star CB prospect Hayward Howard Jr. commits to Texas football
