SLIPPERY ROCK — The Rock just got richer.

Titus Howard, a 6-foot-1, 175-pound cornerback who played for Pitt as a freshman, was confirmed as a registered SRU student Wednesday and will play for the football team.

“This feels like we’ve struck gold,” SRU defensive coordinator Shawn Lutz said. His defense picked up three-year starting Youngstown State linebacker Teven Williams earlier in the off-season.

Howard played in 11 games for Pitt as a freshman, starting two, and saw action for the Panthers in the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl that year. He was slated to start for Pitt last season, but was suspended for the year by then-head coach Paul Chryst for a violation of team rules.

New Panthers head coach Pat Narduzzi released Howard from the program recently.

“Titus was pursued by many major colleges and I-AA schools,” SRU coach George Mihalik said. “Basically, he could have gone anywhere he wanted.

“I think he chose us because he wanted to stay close to home, here in Western Pennsylvania. Then there’s the old adage that when a program experiences winning and success, young athletes want to be a part of that.”

SRU is defending PSAC football champion, has won three of the past four PSAC West titles and has been to the NCAA Division II playoffs the past two years.

Without that resume, “I don’t think we get him,” Mihalik admitted.

Howard is a Clairton graduate and helped the Bears amass a state-record 63 consecutive wins, including four Class A WPIAL and PIAA championships.

He was named the state’s Class A Defensive Player of the Year by Pennsylvania Football News his senior season.

Howard visited SRU’s campus and talked with the coaches extensively. Mihalik said he did a thorough background check before welcoming Howard to The Rock.

“We’re very selective with who we accept as transfers,” the coach said. “Young people make mistakes. I told Titus this is a fresh start for him. He has three years of eligibility with us.

“I’ve got plenty of contacts in Western Pennsylvania. We talked to people at his high school, their coaches, the support program at Pitt ... Everything is positive.”

Mihalik said SRU football gets “three to five transfer requests every week.” Three have already inquired this week, including a player from the state of Oregon.

Jeff Thompson, a former all-conference defensive end at SRU, is the defensive coordinator at Clairton.

“There’s familiarity there,” Lutz said. “And (current SRU players) Dean Ketterer and Marcus Martin played in the Big 33 game with Titus. He knows some of our players.

“We’ve got nine starters back on defense to begin with, now add Howard and Williams. There’s a lot of talent there.

“Division II schools usually get 5-foot-9 or 5-10 corners with speed. The 6-2 guys with speed go Division I. I don’t remember us having a corner this big,” Lutz added.

Mihalik recalled 6-3 cornerback Donovan Wright playing at SRU in the early 1990’s. Wright went on to a solid career in the Canadian Football League.

“Titus has that same type of ability,” Mihalik said. “He’s got speed and he’s extremely athletic. He’s a shut-down corner, no doubt.”

And he may benefit The Rock down the road as well.

“In terms of publicity for the program and from a future recruiting standpoint, Titus Howard coming here will help us attract more top-level players,” Lutz said.