UL Lafayette has named its starting quarterback for the 2025 season. Former five-star and Lafayette’s own Walker Howard has been named the starter after beating out Daniel Beale and Lunch Winfield for the job. Head coach Michael Desormeaux said that Howard earned the job after an impressive camp.
“At the end of the day, I think he embodies the best physical attributes of both Lunch and Daniel. You know, he’s a very gifted passer. He’s a really talented runner, and I’m really excited for Walker. You know, the guy has been through hell and back to get an opportunity to be a starter and he won it. He earned it. You know, nothing was promised to him. And he came in and competed really well. And for him, I’m really excited,” Desormeaux said.
Howard has had his fair share of ups and downs during his college career. He began his career at LSU coming in as the No. 5 quarterback and later transferred to Ole Miss. When Desormeaux told him that he won the starting job, Howard said he got emotional.
“You know, I never knew I was going to be here. And the way it worked out. I mean, it’s been unbelievable. The fact to get in down low and you know, come back home and get back to be who I am and who I am with my family, it’s a great feeling and I got a great team, and I got a coaching staff behind me,” Howard said.
“My dad didn’t think I was going to play football, sure. He was really shocked and I said that, but, you know, Kaden Prieskorn and Jaxon Dart, they really helped me last year. They pushed me forward. They made me go to every single meeting, like all the extra meetings they did to watch film. Those guys really pushed me forward. And I texted them yesterday and appreciated them and texted my dad the same thing. Like, those three guys really pushed me forward about next year. And those are the kind of people I was around last year. I had great people and having great people in your life, you know, make you better,” Howard continued.
