Howell Commits to Bethel
Bolivar Central Quarterback Carson Howell signed a college letter of intent to play football at Bethel University on February 12, 2024.
“Why not?” he said.
This is the phrase Howell said to his dad when asked if he wanted to play flag football. Howell has been playing football since the age of 7. Howell says this is when his dream started. Since then, he has always loved the game and knew he wanted to play at the collegiate level.
“No one thought I could do it,” Howell explained. “And that pushed me even more. My dad and other coaches told me if I worked really hard, I had the talent to make it,” and that the underdog mentality “is what really pushed me the rest of the way.”
During Howell’s senior year, he truly pushed himself like no other. Without complete records, it is very likely Howell now holds the single season passing record for Bolivar Central High School, set in 2023 and a possibility of a career mark as well. Howell was nvited to play in the West Tennessee All-Star Football Game, winning offensive MVP. Howell is also two-time Quarterback of the Year in two different regions.
Before choosing Bethel University, Howell visited Hendrix College in Conway, Arkansas; Harding University in Searcy, Arkansas; and Bethel University in McKenzie, Tennessee. He also went to football camps at University of Memphis, Tennessee Tech, University of Alabama, and Austin Peay State University.
Howell decided on Bethel because of advice he has carried with him.
“An older quarterback that I have known for a while told me to go where the coaches wanted me. When I visited Bethel I realized that the coaches truly wanted me there.”
The coaches aren’t the only thing exciting for Howell. He also said “I am excited to go play with Ky’Juan Fentress, Bolivar Central teammate, and many other friends I have met through my football journey.”
Howell credits his high school football success to his dad and Coach Hayden Williams. About his dad, Howell says “He always pushed me and believed in me. Even more, he always had my back.”
Howell said Coach Williams impacted Howell unlike any of his other high school coaches. “He [Coach Williams] is like a brother to me. I love him. Williams also maintained a relationship with me off the field, but pushed me to my best on the field.”
Howell impacted Coach Williams in a similar way.
“Carson is not only a great football player but one of the best young men I’ve ever gotten to be around. His growth over the four years I was there was nothing short of incredible. He went from a guy we didn’t know could play quarterback at this level, to one of the best quarterbacks in the state of Tennessee statistically. Super excited that he gets to continue to play quarterback at the college level, and I can’t wait to see what he can accomplish.”
To his teammates, Howell gave parting advice, “Stick together as a team through the tough times. But pushing through as a team is the best solution. Go Tigers!” He first learned this through his relationship with God. A verse that stuck with him through this entire journey is John 13:7. “Jesus replied, ‘You do not know what I am doing, but later you will understand.’” Howell says “there will always be tough times, but you can’t let that bring you down. Eventually, it will work out.”
Football is not the only sport Howell excels in. Howell has been the Bolivar Central varsity catcher since his freshman year. Howell said there are a lot of similarities between catching and playing quarterback.
“Catching is like the quarterback of baseball. Catching and playing quarterback go hand in hand. They both taught me how to be a leader.”
While attending Bethel Howell will be majoring in either Sports Management or Kinesiology. Howell is dreaming of becoming a head football coach when his playing journey ends. Howell is leaving Bolivar Central with an ACT score of 24 and a 3.95 GPA.
Photo by Coleman Glover.