South Carolina TE commitment Jamel Howse has new look for senior season
Jamel Howse didn’t look like the same player who committed to play at South Carolina last year.
The Newberry High tight end was sporting his new physique on his 6-foot-4 frame when Howse and his Bulldogs teammates played in the Shane Beamer 7-on-7 Tournament on Thursday.
Since the end of last season, he has put on 30 pounds and now weighs 240. He was around 210 pounds when he committed to play for the Gamecocks in October.
“I wanted to get bigger. I don’t want to come to Carolina and look little,” Howse told The State after the 7-on-7 event.
Howse also said he has been working on getting faster to go along with his added weight. Newberry coach Cedrick Jeter said they will play Howse both split out at receiver and with his hand in the ground at the line of scrimmage.
The Gamecock coaches got a chance to see the new-look Howse during the on-campus event. Beamer and tight ends coach Shawn Elliott were front and center for a few of his team’s games.
Howse had a pair of touchdown catches against Ashley Ridge, including one where he broke free down the middle. When he returned to the sidelines, Elliott was there to greet him with a high-five.
“It was a pleasure to come here and play in front of everyone,” Howse said.
Howse returned to Columbia over the weekend for his official visit, part of the Gamecocks’ final recruiting push before the NCAA dead period begins. He’s one of eight players currently committed to the Gamecocks for the Class of 2026 and the lone tight end.
Howse plans to enroll early in January at USC. He shut down his recruiting after his commitment. He’s since been offered by Central Florida and Liberty.
“I am committed. I am not looking for anything else. I am good where I am at. South Carolina is where I want to be,” Howse said.
Howse hopes to build on his junior season where he caught 34 passes for 412 yards. He talked about wanting to play for a state championship as well. Over the last two seasons, he has caught 70 for more than 1,200 yards.
“He has dedicated himself to the weight room tremendously,” Jeter said. “He absolutely has worked his tail off. I can’t wait for what the future holds. He has put in the work. I think he is going to have a great senior season and have a chance to compete for Mr. Football and the Shrine Bowl.
“Some of the publications don’t believe he is as good as he has been recruited. He isn’t on social media. He isn’t chasing stars. He is worried about being a better player and doing the best for his team. He is a different kind of kid.”
Howse doesn’t post much on social media. The majority of his posts on his X (formerly Twitter) page are of highlights and offers of his teammates.
247Sports Composite and On3 recruiting rankings currently have as the sixth-best prospect in South Carolina for his class. He is ranked in the top 15 nationally at his position.
In addition to tight end, Howse will also see time at safety, something he did some last season. He describes himself as a “hard-hitter” on defense. There won’t be too many players his size playing in the secondary.
“Jamel can play a plethora of positions,” Jeter said. ”I love to see that 240-pound frame coming down hill and knocking the crap out of somebody.”
