Under the Radar:
Howard Holton Jr.

In recruiting, stars don't always tell the full story.

Some athletes make headlines early. Others quietly put in the work, improve every season, and let their game speak for itself.

Howard Holton Jr. is one of those athletes.

The 5-foot-9, 155-pound wide receiver from Bishop McDevitt High School continues to build momentum as one of Pennsylvania's intriguing young prospects in the Class of 2028. While he may still be flying under the radar nationally, his combination of athleticism, work ethic, and consistency is beginning to draw attention from college programs.

What stands out about Howard isn't just his ability on the field — it's how he approaches the game.

Coaches consistently value athletes who compete with discipline, embrace coaching, and continue developing every offseason. Howard is showing those qualities early in his high school career.

That is the profile TOA 684 Sports looks for in every athlete we spotlight. Talent gets you noticed. Character gets you offered. Development keeps you on the field.

Off the field, he's also building his personal brand.

With more than 3,799 Instagram followers, Howard understands that today's recruiting landscape extends beyond Friday nights. College coaches, recruiters, and brands pay attention to how athletes represent themselves online — and he continues to grow his presence while keeping football and academics at the center of his journey.

In 2026, your digital footprint is part of your recruiting file. How you carry yourself on social media, the content you post, the community you build — coaches are watching all of it. Howard is doing it right.

His hard work has already resulted in scholarship opportunities from programs including Temple and Kent State — and additional college interest continues to grow as he enters another important stage of his recruiting process.

For a Class of 2028 prospect, offers this early signal something real. Programs do not extend scholarships to athletes they are not serious about. The fact that multiple programs have already committed to Howard tells you everything you need to know about his trajectory.

Don't be surprised if more schools begin taking notice. Sometimes the biggest names in recruiting are the ones nobody saw coming.

A 3.5 GPA is not an accident.

It is a daily decision. It is choosing the library over the couch. It is asking for help when the material gets hard. It is understanding that a scholarship is not just about what you do on the field — it is about what you do in the classroom.

College coaches talk about this constantly. They want athletes who can handle the academic demands of a university while competing at the highest level. A 3.5 GPA tells every coach on his list exactly who Howard Holton Jr. is.

He is the kind of student-athlete programs build around.

For young athletes, Howard's story is a reminder that recruiting is a marathon — not a sprint.

Exposure is important, but development, consistency, academics, and character remain the foundation of long-term success.

TOA 684 Sports will be following Howard Holton Jr.'s journey as one of our Under the Radar Athletes to Watch.

The journey is just beginning.

We have covered thousands of prospects across the country. The ones who make it — truly make it — share a common thread.

They outwork the room. They outlearn the room. And when the moment comes, they are ready.

Howard Holton Jr. is a name college coaches should have on their boards right now.

Class of 2028. Bishop McDevitt. Wide Receiver. 3.5 GPA. Division I offers already in hand.

I have covered college football for over a decade. I have written more than 10,000 articles on recruiting, roster management, and the business of college athletics.

I have watched the transfer portal go from a whispered conversation to the defining force reshaping every program in America.

Here is what I know after covering thousands of transfers, hundreds of signing days, and more roster moves than I can count: the portal is not a shortcut. It is a second chance. And how you use it determines everything.

In the 2025–26 cycle, over 2,500 FBS players entered the transfer portal. That number has grown every single year since the one-time transfer exception became standard.

Programs are now built around portal acquisitions. Coaches are recruiting the portal as aggressively as they recruit high school prospects. The landscape has fundamentally changed.

For young athletes — especially those in the Class of 2027 and 2028 — understanding the portal before you ever need it is one of the smartest things you can do.

The athletes who study the portal now will be the ones who use it wisely later.

I have spoken to offensive coordinators at Power Four programs, Group of Five head coaches, and FCS staff members who are all fishing in the same portal pond.

Every single one of them said the same thing: film first, character second, fit third.

They are not just looking for talent. They are looking for athletes who fit their system, who have a track record of being coachable, and who have the academic standing to enroll immediately.

If your film is not ready, your portal entry will be invisible. If your GPA is not in order, no offer is coming. Period.

One — Preparation before entry. The athletes who get offers within 48 hours of entering the portal had their package ready before they clicked submit. Updated film. Clean profile. Academic transcript in order.

Two — Clear communication. Coaches want to know your timeline, your goals, and your situation. Be honest. Be direct. Programs do not have time for athletes who are vague about what they want.

Three — Realistic self-evaluation. I have watched five-star recruits sit in the portal for months because they overvalued themselves. Know your level. A great fit at the right level beats a bad fit at a bigger name every time.

Four — Academic eligibility. This is the one that kills more portal careers than anything else. If your GPA or credit hours are not in order, no offer is coming.

Five — Patience. The best portal outcomes rarely happen in the first week. Build relationships. Take visits. Make the right decision — not the fastest one.

You are watching the portal from the outside right now. Pay attention.

The athletes entering the portal today are showing you exactly what to do — and what not to do — when your time comes.

Build your film now. Protect your GPA now. Build your brand now.

Because when the portal opens for you, the programs that are ready to offer will be the ones who already know your name.

The best time to prepare for the transfer portal is before you ever need it.

Athletes like Howard Holton Jr. understand this. He is not waiting for the portal to find him. He is building the profile that makes programs come looking.