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Get Scouted Scouting CareersUniversity of Alabama tight end, O.J. Howard, is gearing up for the 2017 NFL draft.
Howard stands 6 feet 6 inches tall, weighing 251 pounds, and is an exceptionally gifted athlete. His stats at Alabama and the impact he made in the 2015 National Championship game alone have propelled him to be a top NFL draft pick this year.
In fact, Howard has the potential to join Vernon Davis and Heath Miller as a first-round tight end draft pick.
The tight-end position is not typically a first round pick. The last TE drafted in the first round was Tyler Eifert. He was selected as the 21st pick in the 2013 draft to the Cincinnati Bengals.
Howard’s Time at Alabama
Howard joined the Crimson Tide in 2013 as a true freshman and appeared in all 13 games that season, catching 14 passes for 269 yards and two touchdowns. He also averaged 19.2 yards per catch, which was a team best for that season.
His sophomore year, Howard played in all 14 games and had 17 catches on the season for 260 yards. He averaged 15.3 yards per catch, which was a little less than his freshman year. His junior season was when he lit a fire in Alabama’s offense.
In 2015, Howard caught 38 passes for 602 yards with a team high of 15.8 yards per catch average. He also converted 24 catches into first downs for the Tide. Also, nine of those catches went for 20 or more yards. Then came his performance in the 2015 National Championship game against the Clemson Tigers.
Howard collected the MVP honor for the game and had a career-high performance with five catches for 208 yards and two touchdowns. Even more impressive was his career-long 63-yard reception in the fourth quarter, which proved to be the turning point for the Tide in that game.
Although Howard’s senior year did not end as well as his Junior season, it was still a great year for the Alabama tight end. He finished his career with 45 receptions for 595 yards and three touchdowns. Howard averaged 13.2 yards per catch, 17 of his receptions went for 15 yards or more. He was also able to convert 17 of his receptions into 15 yards or more, with 25 of his catches resulting in a first down or a touchdown.
Howard’s 2017 NFL Combine
The 2017 NFL combine had many record-breaking moments. Howard ran a 4.51-second 40-yard dash, which is an impressive time, but even more impressive for someone his size. Standing at 6’6” and weight 249 pounds, Howard is one of the larger tight ends in the 2017 NFL draft. Though he didn’t have the fastest 40 time, his unofficial score tied for the second fastest at the tight end position.
Howard also recorded 22 reps of the 225-pound bench press. With that score, he tied for second at the tight end position. This score made him a top performer in the bench press category. He also received the top performer honor in the 20-yard shuttle, the 60-yard shuttle, and the three-cone drill.
Howard’s 2017 NFL Draft Projection
CBS Sports’ Projection has Howard going in the top 10 of the first round. Though it’s uncertain who will pick him up, many mock drafts have him going somewhere in the first round to Buffalo Bills, New York Jets, Cleveland Browns, San Francisco 49ers or the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Howard started his collegiate journey with National Scouting Report, similar to his fellow NSR alumni and Alabama teammates Matt Womack and Bradley Bozeman.
National Scouting Report is dedicated to finding scholarship opportunities for athletes who possess the talent, desire, and motivation to compete at the collegiate level. We’ve helped connect thousands of athletes with their perfect college.
lets hear from the nsr scout on oj howard in high school.Tad