WINDSOR, Ontario - Growing up in Ontario, Griffin Howell was a Michigan fan.

“I always dreamt of playing for them,” Howell admitted.

While the St. Annes High School junior will be playing in the Big 10 in his future, it will not be with Michigan after the fourth-rated 2023 right-handed pitcher in Ontario committed to Nebraska.

“As soon as I got a call I said I’ve got to switch,” Howell related about his college allegiance. “It’s something every kid dreams of ... playing in the Big 12 or Big 10, those power conferences.”

Interest from the Big10 school in Lincoln began at the Future Games in surprising fashion.

“I was supposed to pitch at five o’clock but there was a three-hour rain,” Howell reflected. “I was the last pitcher of the game for us and my first inning wasn’t until 11:30. I didn’t allow any runs in my first inning but in my second inning I imploded.”

It did not prevent Nebraska from reaching out to the 11th-ranked junior north of the border.

“A month or two went by and then coach (Lance) Harvell added me on Twitter,” Howell pointed out. “I didn’t think much of it but then we had a call and he got right to it. He said he wanted me to be a Husker. I was in complete shock.”

A visit to the university located 11 hours from home followed.

“We went to the Michigan (football) game and the coaches spent time with us,” Howell related. “Before the game my dad and I were with head coach (Will) Bolt and he explained what their plans were for me and how they were going to develop me.”

The 16-year-old found a lot to admire about Nebraska.

“I liked the facilities, the atmosphere there and how nice the coaches were to me,” Howell said. “After all that, I wanted it to be my home for the next four years.”

There was plenty that intrigued Nebraska about the 6-0 190-pounder right-hander with a fastball approaching 90.

“I know they like my grit,” Howell explained. “I’m not the typical pitcher, I’m a little guy. But they like that I get outs and the way that I throw. They thought they could really develop me.”

The idea of playing baseball at the next level has been there for some time according to Howell.

“My dad coached 18U for awhile, so I’ve been around college guys since I was 10, so I’ve known I’ve wanted to play at the highest level,” Howell noted. “This year when I made the Future Games and started getting my name out there it became realistic.”

His father, family and Windsor Select GM John Picco along with PBR assistant director of scouting, George Halim, and director of scouting, Chris Kemlo are credited by Howell with playing major roles in becoming a Division I commit.

“They have all helped get me here and make this happen,” Howell explained. “George and Kemlo gave me the opportunity to go play at the Future Games and that let the Nebraska coaches see me.”

Northern Kentucky was also a consideration for Howell, a 3.8 student who believes he can be very beneficial to the Big 10 program in Lincoln.

“As a student I’ll give my best effort,” noted Howll, who plans to major in either law, business, sports science or sports medicine. “That’s one of the big focuses for me, I want a degree. As far as baseball, I want to be the guy that everyone loves. Someone who works his butt off and wants to be there every day and get better every day.”

The idea of a commitment to play in the Big 10 is, admittedly, somewhat hard to still believe for Howell.

“It’s pure excitement and shock,” Howell said. “Just thinking that I did it … all the hard work I’ve done has paid off. Now I’ve got to get back to work so I can achieve my other goals. But this is surely a dream come true.”