NFL Draft 2017: Top 5 draft prospects from Alabama Football

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Jan 9, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide tight end O.J. Howard (88) runs a touchdown ahead of Clemson Tigers safety Van Smith (23) during the third quarter in the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

Alabama tight end O.J. Howard didn’t have the season finale that put his name on the map last season. But he still did enough to get noticed as one of the top receiving tight ends in college football.

Howard had 45 catches for 595 receiving yards and three touchdowns in 2016. In 2015, he had 38 catches for 602 receiving yards and two touchdowns. He had a coming out party against the Clemson Tigers in the 2015 College Football Playoff National Championship Game with five catches for 208 receiving yards and two touchdowns.

OJ Howard gif thread. Such a polished prospect. It will be interesting to see how the team that drafts him utilizes his skill set. #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/Tl8v7XtvLx
— Jake Anderson (@JakeAndersonPGA) April 16, 2017

In the National Championship game this past season, he had four catches for 106 receiving yards and a touchdown. Still proving to be a solid target in the passing game.

Howard is a 6-foot-6 and 251-pound tight end prospect with speed in open space but enough size to be a solid blocker. He ran a 4.51 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine, second among tight ends. He also bench pressed 225-pounds 22 times, which tied for third with South Alabama’s Gerald Everett. Howard is currently projected to be a first round pick.

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