Four-Star Transfer Forward Jahki Howard Commits To Utah Basketball
Apr 18, 2025, 8:00 PM | Updated: Apr 22, 2025, 2:11 pm
SALT LAKE CITY—Alex Jensen and his Utah basketball program just landed former Auburn forward Jahki Howard, the fourth transfer portal commitment of the cycle.
Howard is a significant win for the Runnin’ Utes, as he garnered interest from programs across the country, including Illinois, Washington, Ole Miss, NC State, and many others.
He joins Elijah Moore, James Okonkwo, and Terrence Brown as Utah’s transfer additions, while Kendyl Sanders has also joined from the prep ranks.
BREAKING: Utah has landed four-star Auburn transfer forward @showtime_ki ! pic.twitter.com/mxoBeGbEPz
— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) April 19, 2025
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Jahki Howard commits to the Runnin’ Utes
The Utes were able to secure Howard’s commitment over a Zoom call Friday night. Howard is expected to visit the program in the near future officially.
He was one of the top prospects in the 2024 class. He earned a 93 four-star rating and ranked as the No. 63 prospect in the 2024 class according to 247 Sports.
As a transfer, Howard has earned a 92 four-star rating and checks in as the No. 170 overall player.
Howard appeared in only 21 games for Auburn this season, logging only 86 total minutes after the start of SEC play in early January.
In his time on the court, the 6-foot-6, ultra-athletic Howard averaged 4.2 points and shot 54% from the floor.
How does Jahki Howard fit with Utah basketball?
Utah’s roster continues to take shape with each new addition, especially following the addition of Howard. Following the additions of Brown, Okonkwo, Moore, and Howard, Utah has significantly increased the level of athleticism and potential on the roster.
Howard is one of the most explosively athletic players at the college level. Whether it’s skying for an alley-oop or flying in from the weak side to erase a shot, his physical tools leap off the floor—literally.
His presence is felt on both ends, often turning momentum with a single highlight play. He is great in transition, which is where most of his offense originates.
He hustles to grab rebounds on both ends of the floor, often resulting in second-chance points on the offensive end.
He has good form on his jump shot and seems capable of becoming a greater volume shooter. He knocked down 40.9% from behind the arc but only attempted 22 shots from deep.
Alex Jensen and staff continue to build out the 2025-26 roster
Howard joins Elijah Moore, Kendyl Sanders, James Okonkwo, and Terrence Brown in the class, as well as Keanu Dawes, Ibi Traore, and Alvin Jackson.
That brings Utah’s roster to a total of eight players, leaving them with seven open spots.
The Runnin’ Utes have added some solid pieces and must continue to secure players who will help them compete in the Big 12 next season.
More importantly, though, Utah should focus on players that have room, in terms of potential and eligibility, to grow under Jensen and his staff.
Utah will continue to bring in players for visits, and with seven spots to fill, Utah has plenty of work to do to.
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Setting the foundation: Utah’s culture starts with defense
Roster building is urgent—but culture is permanent. Jensen isn’t just recruiting players. He’s building a program, and that starts with identity. For Utah, that identity will start on the defensive end.
“I want to build something, I don’t want to build a new team every year, but build some continuity that way,” Alex Jensen said in an interview with NCAA reporter Andy Katz.
“Watching Houston make their run, Kelvin [Sampson] does such a good job, he gets his guys to play so hard,” Jensen shared. “That’s something the assistants I’ve hired talk about. That’s who we measure ourselves to and we’ve got to get kids that are tough like that and compete like them.”
In Jensen’s vision, the Runnin’ Utes will be a disciplined, gritty, tough, defensive-minded program. Think closeouts with purpose. Rotations with urgency. Contests without fouling. Utah isn’t going to outgun everyone—they’ll out-tough them.
