Minnesota cornerback Phillip Howard wanted to explore his options outside the Twin Cities, but it didn’t take him long to determine that staying with the Golden Gophers was his best option.

According to Andy Greder of the Pioneer Press, Howard pulled out of the NCAA transfer portal this week, after entering his name into the database earlier this month. The Minneapolis native will remain with his hometown school.

Howard will be a redshirt senior for the 2020 season. He appeared in 11 games for the Gophers during 2019, collecting five tackles, one interception and forcing a fumble.

Before moving to the defensive side of the football, Howard was a wide receiver for the Golden Gophers in 2017 and 2018. In those two seasons, he caught 13 passes for 137 yards.

Minnesota finished the 2019 season with an 11-2 record, one of the best seasons in program history.