An explosive playmaker in the Nick Saban era of Alabama football is on a new NFL team.
O.J. Howard has officially signed with the Las Vegas Raiders. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network stated the former Crimson Tide tight end had visited with the team, but now he has signed. Howard expects to have marquee success as the Raiders lost Darren Waller in free agency. Howard comes over from the Houston Texans after playing 13 games in 2022. He totaled 10 receptions for 145 yards and two touchdowns in 10 starts. Howard got selected in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft.
Raiders signing TE O.J. Howard. (via @RapSheet) pic.twitter.com/W3dmpUsgHh
— NFL (@NFL) March 20, 2023
His career started off promising for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, posting 400+ receiving yards in his first three seasons.
Howard tied his career high for receptions (34) in 2018 and 2019 while having 565 yards in 2018.
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He had 12 touchdowns combined in his first three years, including a career-high six scores in 2017. After a torn Achilles limited him to four games in 2020, Howard returned in 2021 — playing 17 games. He earned a Super Bowl ring for the 2020 season, but Howard signed a one-year contract for the Buffalo Bills on March 16, 2022. He got cut before playing a down for the Bills; however, he spent the 2022 campaign with the Texans. The 28-year-old is excited to get to work with the Raiders and former Alabama teammate, Josh Jacobs. Howard came to Alabama in its top-ranked 2013 signing class as a five-star prospect.
As a native of Prattville, Ala., patience was huge for Howard. He caught 14 passes, including two for touchdowns, as a true freshman for the Crimson Tide. After not seeing the end zone as a sophomore, Howard became known to the world in the 2015 College Football Playoff. He broke out with five catches for 208 receiving yards and two touchdowns in the 2016 CFP National Championship Game against Clemson. Howard torched the Tigers’ secondary, pacing Alabama to a 45-40 victory.
He ended his career with 1,726 yards and seven scores, despite being underutilized as a weapon.
Howard won a CFP National Championship and three Southeastern Conference titles (2014-16) at Alabama.
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Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
