One of the top prospects in the state of Texas for the 2026 class is Bryson Howard, a 6’5 wing out of Frisco, Texas. He’s a capable two-way player, known for his defensive abilities and athleticism, along with a developing offensive game.
It won’t be a surprise if Howard becomes a 5-star prospect at some point in the recruiting cycle with his growing game. And power conference programs have taken notice, with offers reportedly coming in. That includes plenty of interest from the in-state programs, with a few setting up visits in the near future.
While these aren’t the finalists for Howard, these are teams who should be viewed as legit contenders for his services. Here’s a closer look at how he’d fit with each situation.
Houston Cougars
The Cougars tend to use a three-guard offense and will be led by senior Emanuel Sharp and five-star freshman Isaiah Harwell. All three projected starters will be gone after next year, so there’s room for someone like Howard to come in and have a big impact. Right now, Houston should be viewed as the top program in the state of Texas, and for a local target, that could prove to be decisive if Howard wants to stay close to home.
SMU Mustangs
After moving from the AAC to the ACC, combined with reportedly good resources, SMU is a team on the rise in the state. They’ll be losing Karion Oquendo and Jaron Pierre Jr. after next season, but they already have a pair of incoming freshmen wins in BJ Davis-Ray and Jermaine O’Neal Jr., two four-star prospects. While Howard may be ranked higher than them on paper, his role and PT may not be a given for him out of the gate with this option.
Texas Longhorns
New HC Sean Miller will use this year to get his first full recruiting class at Texas, and getting the local Howard would be a great splash in the state. There’s also room for him, even after bringing Dailyn Swain over from Xavier. There’s also Camden Heide, a transfer from Purdue who has two years left of eligibility. Of the three options, the Longhorns may offer the safest path to immediate playing time for the four-star wing prospect.