Can 2025 commit Koby Howard become Penn State's Deebo Samuel?

Playing a dual threat role as a rusher and receiver looked to suit future Penn State wideout Koby Howard very well in his high-profile season opener Friday night.

The 5-foot-11, 190-pounder made plays across the board in Chaminade-Madonna (Fla.) High School’s 34-27 season-opening loss to California power St. John Bosco. Howard finished the night with four catches for 41 yards and a touchdown and rushed five times for 66 more yards.

#PennState has a potential special wide receiver in #Rivals250 commitment Koby Howard. Had a terrific performance this evening. pic.twitter.com/Sc0YduqYYx

— DylanCallaghanCroley (@RivalsDylanCC) August 25, 2024

Howard, who committed to Penn State on Aug. 4, made a number of highlight-worthy plays where his instincts and athletic prowess were on full display. And considering the stage on national TV in a matchup of top-10 nationally ranked teams, his comfort level as a top playmaker simply jumped off the film.

And yet, Howard enters his senior season at Chaminade-Madonna a step short of being an elite national recruit with 3-star ratings from 247Sports and On3 and a 4-star grade from Rivals, who frankly looks ahead of the curve taking that position. Howard is listed at 5-foot-11 and 190 pounds, which is close to perfect for the “slash” role he’s playing.

Howard perhaps didn’t show elite high-end speed or lateral quickness in racking up 107 total yards against St. John Bosco, but with the ball in the air or with a full head of steam, he looked unstoppable at times. He is physical and can be seen on a 38-yard run off the right side exploding through the St. John Bosco defense.

Howard might still have to answer questions about his ability to separate as a wide receiver, as well as his arsenal of moves to beat defenders as a runner. Those questions could keep him from being elite in either of those categories, but the combination is a different story.

To snatch an end-zone fade for a touchdown on one play, then line up in the backfield and explode through a small crease the next is special in its own right.

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What Koby Howard Might Bring Penn State in the Near Future

Penn State Football, James Franklin — Head coach James Franklin of the Penn State Nittany Lions (Photo by Mike Mulholland/Getty Images)

So, if national recruiting services have questions about Howard’s future position or his ability to develop into a true WR1 level receiving threat, those are fair concerns. We’ll see how he evolves athletically and what his physical testing numbers look like closer to the time of his arrival at PSU.

Howard does have a transition ahead of him to develop into a player who can torch Big Ten defenses as he did St. John Bosco. But, he already looks like a unique weapon who can line up anywhere and torture defenders of all shapes and sizes.

Howard’s performance Saturday night only solidified the fact that Penn State might have landed its own version of Deebo Samuel. He’s a fast, physical runner who can win one-on-one matchups as a receiver with the dog mentality he’s clearly got.

That combination is rare and could help Howard rise in the recruiting ranks between now and National Signing Day.