A former LSU quarterback is getting the starting nod at a different Louisiana school in 2025. ESPN's Pete Thamel has reported that Walker Howard will be the starting quarterback for the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns this season. Walker is expected to start Louisiana's season opener against Rice on Aug. 30.
Source: Louisiana has named former Ole Miss/LSU quarterback Walker Howard the school’s starting quarterback, and he’ll make his first college start against Rice on Aug. 30. Howard ranked as ESPN’s No. 3 dual-threat QB recruit in Class of 2022 behind Cade Klubnik and Ty Simpson. pic.twitter.com/9BfCg8FwVl
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) August 19, 2025
Howard returns to his hometown, as the 6-foot-0, 190-pound QB hails from Lafayette, LA. He was a highly-touted recruit coming out of St. Thomas More High School, drawing interest from several big time programs including Notre Dame, Alabama, Ole Miss, Penn State, Texas A&M, USC, and LSU, among others.
A four-star prospect, Howard was the No. 45 overall player and No. 6 QB in the 2022 recruiting cycle. His homecoming is sure to generate interest in the Ragin' Cajuns program, as Walker led St. Thomas More to a pair of state titles in his high school career.
Howard previously played for LSU in 2022 before spending two seasons at Ole Miss from 2023-24. He spent time backing up Jayden Daniels at LSU and Jaxson Dart at Ole Miss. Now, he is getting his shot. Howard earned the QB1 role over redshirt sophomore Lunch Winfield and redshirt freshman Daniel Beale.
He has seen limited game action in his collegiate career, appearing in six games and going 5-for-10 for 63 yards over his three college seasons. He completed two of his four passes for seven yards with the Tigers in 2022. He added 63 rushing yards on seven carries.
Howard takes the reins of a Louisiana program that is coming off a 10-2 regular season and an appearance in the Sun Belt Championship Game. The Cajuns then fell to TCU in the New Mexico Bowl by a score of 34-3.
Another former LSU QB, Rickie Collins, appeared to have the Syracuse starting job locked up before head coach Fran Brown named Notre Dame transfer Steve Angeli the starter for the Orange's season opener.