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This past season, Auburn appeared poised for a deep NCAA Tournament run. As the No. 1 seed in the South Region, the Tigers cruised through Alabama State and Creighton in the opening rounds of March Madness, then defeated Michigan in the Sweet Sixteen and second-seeded Michigan State in the Elite Eight. However, their momentum came to a halt in the Final Four, where they fell to Florida, 79-73, despite leading much of the first half and early in the second.

Now, reserve forward Jahki Howard is moving on, announcing his transfer to the Utah Utes for next season. Former Auburn star Johni Broome reacted to the news on Instagram, posting, “10 to 5.” Howard, a freshman last year, averaged 4.2 points in 9.1 minutes per game. Though his playing time was limited, he showed flashes of significant potential.

A former four-star recruit from Overtime Elite Academy in Atlanta, the 6-foot-6 Howard is known for his elite athleticism and defensive upside. At Utah, he could see more opportunities under new head coach Alex Jensen. The Utes, who finished 16-17 and placed 11th in the Big 12, are looking for a turnaround under Jensen, who brings NBA coaching experience from his time with the Dallas Mavericks and a decade-long stint with the Utah Jazz. Jensen also has deep roots with the Utes, having been a standout player there in the 1990s.