Right after the story broke that former Florida State offensive coordinator Walt Bell would be leaving the program to take the head coaching job at Massachusetts, I began writing this draft about how FSU QB commit would sign with North Carolina instead of the Seminoles.
Howell (6’1, 225), from Monroe (N.C.) Sun Valley High School, is presently ranked the nation’s No. 3 prostyle passer. His decommitment comes as no shock, because he’s long thought to have been committed more to Bell than FSU— not that that means he’s headed to New England with Bell. Howell has opted for his home state Tar Heels, the team he grew up supporting.
This puts Florida State in a very tricky spot at the QB position, since the ’Noles did not sign a quarterback in last year’s recruiting class. With the transfer of Brady Hockman prior to the 2018 season, FSU played the entirety of the disappointing campaign with just two scholarship QBs on its roster. Now it looks like the transfer of Deondre Francois is imminent, leaving just James Blackman. The position group simply must be replenished. But it won’t be by Howell.
To keep up with all of Florida State’s moves during this Early Signing Period, be sure to check back regularly with our tracker.