Jace Howard will walk on at Michigan next season.
Howard, the son of Wolverines coach Juwan Howard, confirmed his plans in a text with the Free Press on Wednesday night.
Instead of counting toward the 13-player scholarship limit, Jace Howard’s family will pay his way for the 2020-21 season. Other walk-ons include Duquesne transfer Brandon Wade, Columbia transfer Jaron Faulds, guard C.J. Baird, guard Luke Wilson and guard Rico Ozuna-Harrison.
Howard, a three-star recruit ranked No. 348 overall in the 247Sports Composite rankings, is one of five commits or signees in Michigan’s No. 4-ranked recruiting class.
The decision alleviates some of the pressure facing the Wolverines’ roster management.
Michigan had been exactly at the scholarship limit, assuming all five recruits signed and joined next season’s roster. It was still looking to make additions either on the grad transfer market — it is pursuing Harvard point guard Bryce Aiken, who will announce his decision tomorrow — or on the recruiting trail, where top target Josh Christopher remains uncommitted.
Now, with Howard walking on, Michigan is projected to fill 12 scholarships next season, leaving one spot open for either another recruit or a grad transfer.
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