Aaron Suttles
TideSports.com Senior Writer
A week ago, junior tight end O.J. Howard put on a crimson hat, threw on a script 'A' polo and walked the strip near the university in Tuscaloosa asking random fans theirs thoughts about the tight ends.
Only one fan recognized Howard even as the 6-foot-6, 242-pounder interviewed them.
Robert Sutton
Tight end OJ Howard had 17 catches for 260 yards during his sophomore season in 2014.
For a day, Howard was an invisible man. But those same fans hope Howard doesn't go on any missing persons fliers in the UA offense this season.
For two seasons, Howard's potential has been tantalizing, and for those same two seasons he's worked to become a complete tight end, more than just a pass-catching target but a run blocking end too.
By all accounts - from his coach Nick Saban down to defensive lineman like Jonathan Allen - Howard is closer than ever to being a more polished product.
With Brian Vogler and do-it-all fullback Jalston Fowler gone, it's even more vital that Howard and his tight end mates develop. That list includes two converted defensive linemen in Dakota Ball and Johnny Dwight, a true freshman in Hale Hentges, a junior college transfer entering his second season at UA in Ty Flournoy-Smith and a former walk-on Michael Nysewander.
Yet it is Howard by which the unit is judged, fairly or unfairly, and it's because of his size and athleticism that he remains so fascinating. Howard thinks he can add a vertical element that would make the offense even tougher to defend.
"I think just like making plays down the field would be very helpful," he said. "Making explosive plays during the game, that would be something that would be very helpful to our offense…"
Offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin seems to agree, saying earlier this week that Howard could be one of the players to help fill the void of Amari Cooper's production.
"We're going to find our players and get them the ball the best way we can," Kiffin said. "It's not Little League, where everyone gets the same amount of touches. You saw it last year with Amari and everything being so lopsided. It came down to OK, if he's your best player, give him the ball. It's a basketball mentality. If LeBron's got 30 at half, you're not going to stop passing it to him. I think Amari had 47 catches in the first quarter of games alone.
"Now he's gone, so where are those catches going to go? I think O.J. could be a lot of that. He's a very special player. He works extremely hard like Amari did."
- See more at: https://alabama.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1791496#sthash.r9wDb2pC.dpuf
TideSports.com Senior Writer
A week ago, junior tight end O.J. Howard put on a crimson hat, threw on a script 'A' polo and walked the strip near the university in Tuscaloosa asking random fans theirs thoughts about the tight ends.
Only one fan recognized Howard even as the 6-foot-6, 242-pounder interviewed them.
Robert Sutton
Tight end OJ Howard had 17 catches for 260 yards during his sophomore season in 2014.
For a day, Howard was an invisible man. But those same fans hope Howard doesn't go on any missing persons fliers in the UA offense this season.
For two seasons, Howard's potential has been tantalizing, and for those same two seasons he's worked to become a complete tight end, more than just a pass-catching target but a run blocking end too.
By all accounts - from his coach Nick Saban down to defensive lineman like Jonathan Allen - Howard is closer than ever to being a more polished product.
With Brian Vogler and do-it-all fullback Jalston Fowler gone, it's even more vital that Howard and his tight end mates develop. That list includes two converted defensive linemen in Dakota Ball and Johnny Dwight, a true freshman in Hale Hentges, a junior college transfer entering his second season at UA in Ty Flournoy-Smith and a former walk-on Michael Nysewander.
Yet it is Howard by which the unit is judged, fairly or unfairly, and it's because of his size and athleticism that he remains so fascinating. Howard thinks he can add a vertical element that would make the offense even tougher to defend.
"I think just like making plays down the field would be very helpful," he said. "Making explosive plays during the game, that would be something that would be very helpful to our offense…"
Offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin seems to agree, saying earlier this week that Howard could be one of the players to help fill the void of Amari Cooper's production.
"We're going to find our players and get them the ball the best way we can," Kiffin said. "It's not Little League, where everyone gets the same amount of touches. You saw it last year with Amari and everything being so lopsided. It came down to OK, if he's your best player, give him the ball. It's a basketball mentality. If LeBron's got 30 at half, you're not going to stop passing it to him. I think Amari had 47 catches in the first quarter of games alone.
"Now he's gone, so where are those catches going to go? I think O.J. could be a lot of that. He's a very special player. He works extremely hard like Amari did."
- See more at: https://alabama.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1791496#sthash.r9wDb2pC.dpuf
