The contenders -- Syracuse
Howard: I was amazed at the history there, with Jim Brown, Ernie Davis. All the history about those running backs because I was a running back in high school. So Jim Brown, Floyd Little, Ernie Davis, wow, this place was magnificent.
Turnell Sims, Syracuse offensive lineman and Howard's official visit host: I showed him the whole thing with the Sugar Bowl and what we were doing and he got a chance to meet some people. He was very happy, smiling, enjoying himself. Took him out and enjoyed the town. I was up at Winding Ridge when he was recruited, so he came to the townhouses up there.
Howard: They had these little chalets, these little apartments on this hill where they stayed. That was really cool.
Sims: He went to the places that a lot of the players went to. We were on Marshall Street, hung out down there. Probably went to, not Varsity but Cosmo's. Late night Cosmo's Pizza, sat there for a little bit with one of my other fellow linemen talking to him. He hung in strong. I could tell he was tired from going out late that night but we got him home, got in bed. I think he slept on the couch.
Howard also referenced an "eye-opening experience" during this visit, but neither Howard nor Sims would elaborate when asked.
Sims: I knew he was a player at St. Joe's and [Syracuse] had big competition with Michigan. He had no qualms saying that.
