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Maryland football picked up a key commitment Sunday, as Class of 2022 three-star McDonogh quarterback Preston Howard announced his pledge to the Terps.
Howard is a three-star prospect (0.8878), according to the 247/Sports Composite scale, ranking as the No. 10 dual-threat quarterback and No. 9 player from Maryland in his class. He chose the Terps over offers from Arizona State, Auburn, Michigan, Penn State, Syracuse and more.
At McDonogh, Howard saw the field on varsity as a freshman, but took control of the quarterback position as a sophomore in the 2019-20 season. He finished his sophomore season completing 59.4% of his passes for 899 yards, 10 touchdowns and six interceptions. Howard also added 540 yards and five touchdowns on 93 carries with two 100-yard rushing games.
Standing at 6-foot-6, 215 pounds, Howard has a good frame and displays a wide array of athletic abilities. With a strong arm and confidence outside the pocket, Howard is quite simply a playmaker in every aspect. He can stand in the pocket and deliver a ball, but also has the instinct to make smart plays on the move.
Maryland is in a unique spot in the 2022 cycle with a lack of depth behind starter Taulia Tagovailoa. The Terps have the pledge of senior transfer Reece Udinski from VMI, but he likely has just one season of eligibility remaining.
Head coach Mike Locksley and offensive coordinator Dan Enos are in a prime position to take two quarterbacks in the 2022 class in order to secure the future of the position. Howard could fill one of those spots, but could also be shifted to tight end with his athletic ability and size.
The Terps are heavily in the mix for fellow three-star local quarterback Jayden Sauray from Dr. Henry Wise High School and three-star Georgia native AJ Swann. Swann has set a decision date of March 1 with the Terps, USF and other programs in the mix.
Maryland has now secured six commitments in the 2022 class, with Howard slotting in as the second-highest rated pledge behind four-star athlete Amari Clark. The addition of Howard moves the Terps up to the No. 15 spot nationally, but they remain No. 5 in the Big Ten.