Kaden Howard: New Confidence, New Team, Same Beast!

Kaden Howard: Dade County's Top Receiver is a Sophmore with over 1,000 All Purpose Yards

Kaden Howard’s decision to transfer from Palm Glades Academy to Miami Palmetto High School was centered around facing better competition, surrounding himself with equally talented athletes, but ultimately, Howard’s goal is to compete for a State Championship. The top receiver in Dade County as a sophomore, Howard brings over a thousand all-purpose yards to the table for the Panthers. Not only does he stand out as a receiver, but he shines in the return game as well. With 2 years of high school ball left, while already fielding a dozen Division 1 offers, Kaden Howard’s move to Miami Palmetto is not to fit in, but to stand out. The VIP Crew spoke with the explosive junior receiver, who is chomping at the bit for the August 14 th season opener, his Panther debut, and much more!

The VIP Crew: Congratulations on the multiple offers that you have coming in.

Howard: Thank you! I appreciate that.

The VIP Crew: I’m sure you are ready for August 14 th  to get here for the season opener, and your Miami Palmetto debut.

Howard: I can’t wait. I have been working on my hands and my work ethic this offseason for sure.

The VIP Crew: From what you have experienced this summer at Miami Palmetto, how far do you think this team can go this season?

Howard: I can for sure see us going to state. This team is all in and we are going to go to state this year.

The VIP Crew: What or who has been the building blocks to you becoming to athlete that you are today?

Howard: For sure my people, my auntie and grandma. My dad and my mom are not really in my life, so they actually stepped up and been there for me. Obviously, my coaches been there for me too.

The VIP Crew: How has not having your mom and dad in your life affected your life and your approach to football?

Howard: It just makes me work more and want it more.

The VIP Crew: You were the #1 receiver in Dade County as a sophomore, which is crazy in itself. You put up 782 receiving yards, on 42 catches and grabbed 10 touchdowns. You had over 1,000 all-purpose yards because of the work you did in the return game. How do you improve on those stats as a junior?

Howard: The only thing stopping me last year from being even better is probably my confidence. I didn’t have any confidence last year. I feel like with more confidence, I’m going to do way better. The confidence that I have right now, I don’t feel like nobody can stop me, nobody can beat me one on one.

The VIP Crew: As a sophomore you have about twelve D1 offers, you put up amazing stats, how did you lack confidence?

Howard: It’s more like, I was at a smaller school. It sort of helped me a lot, but at the same time I still had to do what I had to do.

The VIP Crew: What has the transition from Palm Glades to Miami Palmetto been like for you in terms of learning the offense and figuring out your fit within the system?

Howard: It’s been a whole 360. Everything is different when you’re at a bigger school. I love it. We workout harder. I have people around my skillset. I love it all for real.

The VIP Crew: Given you had so much success at a smaller school, and you have a ton of offers coming in, I’m sure you realize you will have a target on your chest this year.

Howard: I’d rather not think about it or overthink about it. I’m just going to do what I have to do.

The VIP Crew: Are you anticipating an offer from a school who you have not received one from yet? Any schools on your radar? You don’t have to name them, just curious.

Howard: Yeah, I have a couple in mind that I would like to receive an offer from, but I don’t reach the requirements at the moment.

The VIP Crew: How do you balance getting all of these offers, and the attention from colleges, while still having two years of unfinished business at the prep level remaining?

Howard: I just approach it one day at a time. The offers just make me work harder, but the goal is state championships, so the balance is letting one fuel the other. College workouts are way harder than high school workouts. It’s something I’m going to have to get used to, so I’m starting the prep work right now.

The VIP Crew: What’s the chemistry like between you and your new quarterback?

Howard: Yes, 100%! The first month or two I was at Palmetto we were already clicking up. We were already connecting pretty good, so I just can’t wait for the season.

The VIP Crew: I know the feeling of going against your own teammates for months on in, what is August 14 th  going to be like to finally go against someone in a different uniform?

Howard: It’s going to feel amazing, man. I have been waiting for this since this last season. I got a lot to prove. I don’t really talk about the future and stuff, I just know I’m going to do good. Off the rip. When I put them pads and that helmet on, it’s game time. I feel like nobody can stop me when I strap them pads on.

The VIP Crew: You were a major part of the return game at Palm Glades; can we expect the same production from you on special teams at Palmetto?

Howard: I’m going to do punt return and kickoff return still. I really got my name out there more doing kickoff return.

The VIP Crew: You seem to be in autopilot when on the football field. It’s almost like you’re in cruise control and still running past guys.

Howard: It’s definitely not easy. I feel like I put in too much work to not be good. Nobody really pushed me. I’ve been doing this by myself. I put in so much offseason work, just trying to get ready, trying to be better than the players who I will be playing against.

The VIP Crew: What has your relationship with Coach [Michael] Manasco been like this far and how did he receive you once you came to Miami Palmetto?

Howard: He accepted me with open arms. I love Coach Manasco, bruh. You can’t want anything better than what he gives you and what he brings to the table.

The VIP Crew: Last year, at your previous high school, they seem to have found several ways to get the ball in your hands. Worked you out of the backfield, slip screens, things like that. Can we expect the same versatility this year or will you be mainly featured as a receiver?

Howard: Yes! They can trust me all over the field and depend on me to make plays when it’s needed. I feel like playing at a bigger school and playing against bigger schools and competition, they can trust me to let me do my thing, get my stats up and let me do what I have to do.

The VIP Crew: What would capturing a state title mean to you this year?

Howard: It’s going to mean a lot because everybody I compete with I grew up with them. We all hungry, we all wanna win, we all grew up together. Watch me work this season.