Max Howard and the Next Step

[Weeze]

Maximilian Howard Putting in Work

Max Howard and Brother Matt Howard Work Out Together For Coming Season

 

Elite 11 Winner, And Florida 5* QB Max Howard

 

          Max Howard, Florida's newest Star on Campus is already putting in the work for the coming season as he aims to be the Day 1 starter in the fall. Coach Weeze has already publicly stated "No one will be an automatic starter so long as I am the Coach. When the season ends, so does your title as starter if you hadn't lost it already." Some people are just tossing this up to Coach Speak as there is no way certain players, such as senior RB Ryan Bowman, will not be automatically named the starter before summer and fall camp opens up. But, it would be foolish for the Florida Coaching staff not to take a QB competition seriously. Despite the Elite 11 Winner Max Howard coming in already looking super impressive for an 18 year old kid, they do have a redshirt Freshmen Kevin Jones who has already spent a year in the system, learning and working to improve his own game. Jones isn't chopped liver either. The 4* QB came in with his own little hype and only got redshirted due to the 2023 roster. The Staff made a choice to go run heavy with a lack of receiving options and an O-line weak in pass protection. A problem the Florida Gators have made impressive Steps to improve. While pass catchers should still be a priority during this recruiting season, Howard and Jones should have at least a few options to rely on. 

 

          Howard however, seems to have taken up the challenge and is putting in the work this off season with his older, NFL brother, Matthew Howard. The former FSU Stand out has his own work to do as he came off a very disappointing season. As the Jaguars went into sell mode, Howard found himself placed into the starting QB role. While he did show promise at times, it was apparently he was not where Steven Connolly was. The Howard brothers pushed each other and developed a whole work out routine with help of noted QB coach and trainer, Bill Bob. Coach Bill Bob helped both men refine their mechanics and pushed their limits. Max Howard Specifically worked on reading "defenses" and trying to identify where the blitz was coming and the type of cover they were lined up in. 
"He is a smart kid. And for someone just coming out of highschool, he has an amazing Grasp of what he is seeing. He needs to just become quicker at reading it and reacting to it. Going to the SEC he is going to be playing big boy defenses and he is playing on a team that is still very much reloading. His best weapon will be his mind. Get the ball out quick and take away the defenses ability to get into his face. let the receivers create yards after the catch." Coach Bob said of Howard. He would also continue, praising his physical conditioning stating he already very much looks like a NFL QB.

 

          The Elite 11 Winner(and supposedly the best winner of all time) has seen a lot of praise, but compared to his brother, the young man comes in very humble and recognizes the opportunity before him. 
"It is great having all of those praises and expectations" Max Howard told media members. "But I honestly haven't done anything yet. I have a chance to come into a program and the up and really help lead them to future success. But I haven't done it yet. I might have won the off season, but unless we are getting W's in Gainesville...what does it matter?" The Fans very much agree. Despite the relative success of the previous season, there were still some major embarrassing losses that hurt this Gator team. Most notably a 3 game road stretch against South Carolina, Kentucky and Georgia. SCAR was a ten point loss 27-17, Kentucky was an absolute embarrassing second half rout 41-24, and Despite a 20 point lead over UGA, the Gators again blew the second half letting them win 24-20. If you look at Florida's passing yards over those 3 games..it is not good. 49 yards, 16 yards, 107 yards. These kind of numbers are not acceptable and Fans are putting all of their hopes that Max Howard can be their savior...and finally Beat Georgia. Not to mention Tennessee and LSU who have blown out the Gators the last two seasons. 

 

          Florida's Star QB isn't just working out with his brother however. The brothers have invited true Freshman WR Edward Watkins, and Senior WR Bruce Gedeon to work out with them. Two very good choices as both should be the primary target for Howard this coming season. Gedeon is the last true experienced receiver  left on the roster. Watkins is a 4* stud brought in this season with Howard and is expected to be the best weapon seen at Florida in some time. While Coach Weeze has done a great job rebuilding the Defense and O-line, he has had a hard time convincing WRs to join the Gators. Howard should embrace every opportunity to grow with these guys and develop the chemistry needed to make this duo dangerous. But this is more than just about Howard. This is also a good chance for Watkins, and Gedeon to create their own chemistry with each other. A chance for Gedeon to try and help Watkins improve and figure some things out before camp and the grueling season gets underway. While Watkins has all the potential in the world, he is still raw, and has a long way to go before he is considered a top threat in the conference. 

 

          Doom and Gloom aside, Florida Gators should be excited. Max Howard looks like a stud. The starting title won't just be given to him(as it shouldn't be), but to not expect a potential generational talent to win that role, and help lead this team to a new level of success, is unimaginable. He is doing the right things. He is saying the right things. The coaches now need to do their job, and make sure he is put into a system that he can thrive in.