There is a myth found in the halls of Autauga Academy football facility. The tale of a young man who was known for his combination of both size and strength. Strength in blocking lineman, strength in route running and, possibly most important statistic of all, strength in catching the ball. The man was once the most elite tight end end according to every recruiting site in America.
Then, just as fast as the legend was born, he vanished like that in the dead of night, never to be seen or heard from across the country. What many expected to see before their eyes, now appears in glimpse if fans are lucky. His skills he was recruited for now are remnant and a distant memory. A sighting of him is comparable to Big Foot or the Mexican folk lore “The Cupacabra."
The fact of the matter is: Alabama’s OJ Howard could be the best tight end in college football, but he is a great myth due to the offense found in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
It has been a difficult journey for the 21-year-old tight end from Prattville, Alabama since putting on a Crimson Tide uniform. Not tough as in multiple losing seasons or tough as in finding time on the field, but tough as in finding a rhythm in the spread pro-style offense Lane Kiffin brought from sunny Los Angeles two seasons ago. Still, while the journeyman smiles as he sits in his locker, knowing he has one more game to prove what many have believed for years.
“We have some great receivers on this team, some who have next-level talent,” he said. “I’m fine with not always getting the ball. It’s sometimes just not my turn.”
Howard's humility began in the halls of Augusta Academy back in 2010 as a freshman. A four-year varsity letterman for the Generals, Howard led Autagua’s offense every season in receptions and broke the high school's all-time touchdown record with 31 back in 2012. He became known for one thing and one thing alone: his hands. It wouldn’t be long before offers began to fly in from all across the country.
They came in piles from each area of the land. They came from the sunny beaches of Southern California, from the great plains of Auburn, from the swamp lands of Gainesville and yes, sweet home Alabama wanted the native to stay home. With multiple offers, Howard knew where his heart had been all along.
The five-star tight end committed to the University of Alabama ranked as the top tight end in America for 2013. Many had exclaimed him to be the Ozzie Newsome for Nick Saban to mold into the top tight end in America.
When he arrived to Tuscaloosa in January, the Crimson Tide had just returned from Miami, winning their 15th National Championship and aiming for their third consecutive crystal ball. Offensive Coordinator Doug Nussmeier was looking for a tight end to replace Micheal Williams for the 2013 season. While Brian Vogler was familiar with the offense, Howard was projected to be the favorite to land the starting tight end position.
In 2013, Howard was named the co-starting tight end along with Brian Volger. In Nussmeier’s offense, Howard thrived as a true freeman catching 14 balls for 269 yards and a pair of touchdowns. While the numbers weren’t flashy in any way, as a freshman he showed promise that fans had hoped would come into his own by 2014.
Unfortunately, things would soon head south at the position.
In the early days of January, Nussmeier ditched his comfy seat in Tuscaloosa and headed north to Ann Arbor to take over the Michigan Wolverines offense. With that in mind, Alabama was forced to head to the drawing board to find the next great mind to fit with the Crimson Tide offense.
He came from the sunny California with a record that made athletic directors cringe. He just was fired from his dream job, only four years after leaving the SEC for it. His high-tempo offense succeeded under Matt Barkley and receiver Marquise Lee. As a head coach, he wasn’t going to be sought after anytime soon. As a coordinator, he was the hottest man for the job.
When Lane Kiffin stepped onto campus at Alabama, things would change in the Alabama offense forever, especially at the Tight End position.
In Kiffin’s West Coast offense, receivers were key and running backs were a secondary. Pass pass pass with the running back making a guest appearance every once and a while. While used on quick drags and slants, Kiffin pretty much saw the tight end as a extra blocker.
With Howard, still fighting for a full time starting role, decided to learn how to become better as a blocker rather than a pass catcher. In practices, Kiffin’s offense put Howard up to the test to become an extra man on the line rather in the pass.
"We need our tight ends to be able to block," said Alabama head coach, Nick Saban. "I think, you know, people say we want to run the ball, we want to run the ball and we want to be a defensive team. Well, that's hard to do when you don't have a tight end that can block effectively. I think O.J. has improved in that area.”
In the first season under Kiffin, Howard’s number improved in one of the three areas. While he racked up 17 receptions for 260 yards, he went without a touchdown for the first time since his freshman year of high school.
Still learning to get better, Howard continued to work on his blocking game, now the upcoming full-time starter for the 2015 season. While many could have excepted Howard to think of leaving Kiffin’s offense, the thought never crossed his mind.
“I love Alabama, this is where I always wanted to play,” Howard said. “Why not stay when you have something going good.”
Throughout the 2015 season, not only did Howard impress in passing game, but he also became a huge threat from the blocking position. With the facts in front of you, turning Howard into a blocking tight end might have been the best move for his career.
Biggest reason?
Howard ranks second in 2015 as a one of the top “dual-threat tight ends in the nation” according to ProFootball focus. Howard ranked a +9.1 blocking grade in 2015, only allowing two sacks from his side when blocking. A huge upgrade and an eye-opener to scouts across america.
"He's a great run blocker, one of the two or three best run blockers in college," said Matt Miller, the lead NFL Draft writer for Bleacher Report.
Still wanting to show off that he could catch, Howard finished the year with 33 receptions for 394 yards, but yet zero touchdowns again. While he didn’t have any touchdown dances in 2015, he did average over 11 yards a reception. Wanting to have one more shot before deciding on whether to stay in Tuscaloosa or head to the NFL, Howard was about to find his shining moment in Dallas.
In the Goodyear Cotton Bowl, Howard played a key factor in the Crimson Tide’s offense success. Howard had three receptions for 59 yards, averaging 19.7 yards a catch. He also was key in adding to the blocking games at the goal line for Heisman trophy winner to punch in a pair of touchdowns as the Crimson Tide punched their ticket to Glendale in a 38-0 win.
"It feels great," Howard said. "Being able to contribute to your team is always a great feeling. But like I always say, you can't get frustrated. And when plays come your way, you've got to make a play on the ball.”
The jokes still thrive in on Twitter where a sighting of OJ Howard is like that of spotting Big Foot. The scouts still think Howard needs help in both blocking and passing, but, he’s still smiling. Everyone seems to love OJ, not just for his success on the field, but also just to be in his presence.
“O.J. handles it really well,” quarterback Jake Coker said. “You never hear him complain. You never hear him saying you should get more balls to him. He’s a team player, always has been since I’ve been around him.”
With only one game remaining in the 2015 season, Howard has time to decide on what’s best with his career. There still is a possibility for him to finally cross the goal line for the first time in two years, but more importantly, Howard has a shot to solidify his career as being on of the top tight ends in Alabama history, and not the way many expected him to be back in 2013.
“Being a blocker really helped me out in every situation on the field,” Howard said smiling after the Cotton Bowl. “I know that it’s going to help my future in the long run since so many teams could always use an extra blocker.”
As he packed up his locker and headed out for the bus back to the hotel, a reporter asked him “Hey OJ, you ready to introduce yourself to the world?” He pauses for a second to think it through, but only a second. The a smile protruded across his face.
“Oh yeah, I’m ready.”
