'Unbelievable' Pup Howard already impressing during South Carolina bowl practice

On3 imageby:Collyn Taylor12/22/22

collyntaylor

In the midst of the pandemonium that was the last few weeks for South Carolina recruiting, Shane Beamer’s phone lit up. 

On it was a text from linebacker Grayson “Pup” Howard, letting him know the types of players he wants in the program while a handful of players hopped in the portal and decommitted. 

In it, he told Beamer they needed guys who would die for the team and the univeristy. If that doesn’t personify Howard–a lynchpin of the Gamecocks’ 2023 class–there’s not much else that will.

Subscribe to Gamecock Central until the 2023 football season for only $10!

“He’s unbelievable. His personality, obviously his ability as a player speaks for itself. But when you get to know him–you guys are going to love him as you get to know him. He just hasa great personality. He’s so positive all the time, competitive, mature, business-like,” Shane Beamer said.

“He did a great job recruiting the other guys. We had a lot of guys that got this class going, but the momentum he created because he is such a national recruit and he turned down so many great programs to come here was a huge pick-up for us. He’s going to make our program better from day one.”

There aren’t many things Howard publicly loves more than the Gamecocks, and if you don’t believe him check every ounce of his social media and where Howard is spending his holiday break. 

Win a football autographed by Rattler, Emmanwori, Kroeger, and others

Instead of relishing in the post-signing limelight, the four-star linebacker motored up Interstate 95 from Jacksonville to join South Carolina for bowl practice. 

He spent three days with the Gamecocks before the team got a few days off, a chance to get a taste of what college football is like. 

“He’s an ubleiveable dude. From the first time we met we clicked. He’s a family guy,” “He’s a guy who embodies what you want your program to be about…He’s a dialed-in dude. I’m excited he’s here,” linebackers coach Clayton White said. “He’s getting used to hearing us in our coaching voice and not our recruiting voice. There’s a big difference. Can’t be too bad the first coupleof  days. Got to ease him in.”

For Howard, this stint in Columbia isn’t about being fully immersed in the Gamecocks’ playbook but more about soaking in whatever he can and learning the day in and day out responsibilities of a college athlete. 

For White, it’s also a chance to see one of the team’s prized recruiting wins in action. 

Become a NIL supporter of your South Carolina Gamecocks!

“You can learn a lot. You get a good feel for his body type, get a good feel for his functional movement skills. We’re not going to start the playbook back over and start at point zero for him. He has to pick up on the back end at game 13,” White said.

“You get a feel for what’s going to be too much. That’s the only thing you really get. Right now he’s sitting in the meeting, listening. I’m asking him a couple questions here and there. We’ll start him back over in January.” 

It’s hard to find anyone in the building not willing to heap praise on Howard, one of the more vocal recruiters in South Carolina’s 2023 class. 

Howard–the No. 164 player in the On3 rankings and a four-star prospect–turned down Florida, Georgia, Clemson and other national powers to come to South Carolina. 

He certainly looks the part of an SEC linebacker and has a chance to impact things early. 

Subscribe (for free) to the Gamecock Central YouTube page!

“He’s a man…We’re trying to recruit personalities and character. We’re trying to recruit guys who are fun to be around. I actually said to Pup this going b the end of spring practice he’d be teaching me. I’d gladly pass off a Wednesday coordinator press conference to Pup when he’s good and ready to handle it,” Pete Lembo said. 

“Man, if we can have guys like that covering kickoffs for us next year that’s going to e a whole lot of fun to watch…they are such special people in addition to being great football players and looking like SEC football players as he already does. You actually know they’re part of your family now. That’s really cool stuff.”

Discuss South Carolina football on The Insiders Forum!

You may also like