Saturday Blitz
Fansided

SEC Football: Top 100 SEC players to watch in 2016

By Nicholas Ian Allen

Nov 7, 2015; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; LSU Tigers running back Leonard Fournette (7) runs the ball during the fourth quarter against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Alabama won 30-16. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 7, 2015; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; LSU Tigers running back Leonard Fournette (7) runs the ball during the fourth quarter against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Alabama won 30-16. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
36 of 58
Next
Jan 11, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide tight end O.J. Howard (88) runs the ball against Clemson Tigers safety T.J. Green (15) during the fourth quarter in the 2016 CFP National Championship at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 11, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide tight end O.J. Howard (88) runs the ball against Clemson Tigers safety T.J. Green (15) during the fourth quarter in the 2016 CFP National Championship at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /

O.J. Howard 2015 Season Statistics

  • Games Played: 15
  • Receptions: 38
  • Receiving Yardage: 602
  • Yards Per Catch: 15.8
  • Receiving Yards Per Game: 40.1
  • Receiving Touchdowns: 2
  • Notable: Caught five passes for 208 yards and two touchdowns in 45-40 victory over Clemson in College Football Playoff National Championship Game.

Alabama O.J. Howard has been making NFL scouts drool since his freshman season, when the 6-foot-6, 242-pound tight end averaged 19.2 yards per catch. With his size, speed and athleticism, Howard has been a preseason All-American as both a sophomore and as a junior, but hasn’t had the production to warrant a postseason selection.

However, Howard finally broke free in Alabama’s 45-40 victory over Clemson in the CFB national title game by catching five passes for a record 208 yards and two touchdowns (his only two scores of the season), to push his season total to 602 receiving yards on 38 receptions.

Having performed at his best in the biggest game of his career, and to once again showcase his unique talent for pro evaluators, Howard appeared likely to leave early for the NFL Draft. Instead, he’ll be back in Tuscaloosa in 2016. If he finally lives up to his sky-high potential over the course of a full season, Howard will finally earn All-American recognition – and perhaps the Mackey Award as the nation’s top tight end.

Next: Zach Cunningham

Home/Alabama Crimson Tide