BYU has landed in the top 12 for one of the more sought-after quarterbacks in the 2028 class.
On Friday, Jamar Howard cut his list from 28 schools down to a dozen, and the Cougars were among the programs still standing. Howard’s finalists are Oregon, Ole Miss, SMU, Michigan, Missouri, North Carolina, Kentucky, Washington, UCLA, Arkansas, Utah and BYU.
The quarterback from Fresno (Calif.) Clovis West is already drawing heavy attention across the country.
He also had offers from Arizona, Arizona State, Auburn, Cal, Cincinnati, Colorado, Miami and Purdue, among others. After a sophomore season that produced 2,800 yards and 37 touchdowns, Howard has plenty of momentum heading into his junior year.
His appeal is obvious. Howard has shown he can push the ball downfield, and his 6'2 frame adds to the intrigue around him as a recruit.
For BYU, the timing matters. The quarterback spot will be a major watch item in the 2028 cycle, especially with the program not currently planning to sign a quarterback in the 2027 class. Ryder Lyons is expected to return from his mission, which gives the Cougars some flexibility next year, but they still need to keep the pipeline stocked for 2028.
That makes Howard a key target.
The next steps for BYU are straightforward. The staff wants to get Howard on campus for a game this fall, then bring him back for an official visit next summer.
Howard is one of four quarterbacks BYU has offered in the 2028 class. Another is Hunter Fujikawa, the four-star Hawaii native whom BYU already hosted for an unofficial visit earlier this year. Fujikawa has 28 offers, including interest from some of the country’s biggest programs.
BYU has also extended an offer to AJ Tuivaiave, a three-star quarterback from Washington who is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Tuivaiave has already taken an unofficial visit to campus and holds offers from Washington, ASU, Cal, Miami, Oregon and San Diego State.
The fourth name in the mix is Preston Beck, the son of BYU legend John Beck. His recruitment has been quieter than the others so far, with offers from Colorado State and Nevada among a small group of suitors. Beck flashed promise as a sophomore at San Clemente High School last season, and a strong junior year could put him squarely on the radar.
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