Nicholas Howard’s Commitment to Pitt: A Big Texas Talent Anchors His Future in the ACC
Nicholas Howard isn’t just another name on a recruiting board. At 6-foot-5, 285 pounds, the offensive lineman from Pearland High School in Texas brings serious size, strength, and upside to the trenches-and he’s bringing all of that to Pitt.
Pitt was the first Power Four program to extend an offer to Howard back in April, and that early belief clearly meant something. Arizona, Houston, and Kansas State eventually joined the mix, but Howard had already zeroed in on the Panthers.
He locked in an official visit for June 6th, and by the time he left Pittsburgh, his mind was made up. He committed shortly after and shut down his recruitment entirely.
A big reason for that? The connection he built with Pitt offensive line coach Jeremy Darveau.
“We connect very well and it was great to see him in person again,” Howard said after his commitment. “He was very funny and positive, him and his assistant O-Line coach, Coach LG (LaVonne Gauthney), they're both really cool people and I can't wait to spend the next four years with them.”
That relationship wasn’t just a recruiting pitch-it became the foundation of a decision Howard has stayed firm on ever since. While other prospects might have taken late visits or entertained new offers, Howard stayed locked in with Pitt, and his senior season only reinforced why the Panthers were so high on him in the first place.
Dominant Senior Campaign in Texas 6A Football
Pearland High School plays in Texas' 6A classification-the biggest and most competitive level in the state-and they didn’t just compete this year, they dominated. The Oilers went 11-1 and averaged a blistering 45 points per game. That kind of offensive output doesn’t happen without a strong front, and Howard was the anchor of it all.
Pearland’s rushing attack averaged 267 yards per game and racked up 52 touchdowns on the ground. That’s not just production-it’s control, and Howard was a key part of the engine that made it go.
His performance didn’t go unnoticed either. Evaluators at 247Sports bumped him up to four-star status during the season, a nod to both his physical tools and his impact on the field.
How He Fits at Pitt
Looking ahead, Howard joins a Pitt offensive line room that saw seven different starters rotate through during the 2025 season. Six of those linemen are eligible to return in 2026, and the Panthers are expected to be active in the transfer portal as well. That means Howard is likely heading for a redshirt year-something that’s common for offensive linemen making the jump from high school to college ball.
But make no mistake: Pitt doesn’t land four-star offensive linemen every year. Howard’s combination of size, athleticism, and experience against top-tier Texas competition gives him a real shot to climb the depth chart quickly once he gets acclimated. A redshirt year could be the launchpad to something bigger.
For now, Howard brings a steady commitment, a strong foundation, and a whole lot of upside to a Pitt program looking to solidify its future in the trenches. It’s a good setup for him-and a smart long-term investment for the Panthers.