The Cincinnati coaching staff has picked up yet another JUCO prospect in DB Howard Wilder (Pierce CC).
“Yes, I committed to Cincinnati,” Wilder said. “It was down to them and South Florida, and I thought Cincinnati was the best fit for me. It’s a better place for my mom too.”
The JUCO star visited Cincinnati back in late January.
“I really liked the school and the academics. The atmosphere was great,” Wilder said.
“It’s cool that Cincinnati’s stadium is in the middle of campus. The coaches sealed the deal for me.”
Wilder is excited to play in Cincinnati’s defensive system.
“Some of Cincinnati’s coaches visited me at home following my visit. They just told me that I’d fit their system. They said I’ll be blitzing and playing man.”
The 5-foot-11, 185-pound prospect with reported 4.44 forty speed has an impressive offer sheet.
“Wisconsin, Missouri, Kentucky, Rutgers, Maryland and a bunch of other schools offered me,” Wilder said.
On national signing day, Wilder will make his pledge to Cincinnati official.
“I’ll be signing on Wednesday. I’m excited to be a Bearcat.”
Wilder starred at Eleanor Roosevelt High School (MD) and earned the nickname "Little Derrick” because of his similarities to the former Maryland prep star that signed with Penn State in 2009 before later transferring to Marshall where he started eight games at cornerback last season.
As a high school senior, one publication rated Wilder as the No. 90 best college prospect in Maryland.
The 2012 1st team all-conference cornerback started his college career at College of the Canyons (CA) where he was a starter and made 49 stops before transferring to Pierce Community College (CA) last season where he recorded 45 tackles and had one interception.
Wilder plans to study business management and has three years to play two.
- Sam Kwiatkowski
- Contributor - 247Sports