He did not record a catch against Georgia, but Alabama tight end O.J. Howard has found ways to be involved in Lane Kiffin’s system. He entered Saturday’s game against Tennessee with 19 catches for 235 yards and good contributions in the run game, springing Derrick Henry downfield for touchdowns on a few blocks. He took another step forward last week at home.
Howard, 6-foot-6, 242 pounds, caught seven passes (career-high) for 55 yards.
Two of his receptions resulted in first downs, and three others helped set up scoring drives (two field goals, six points). The junior averaged 7.9 yards per catch, with a long of 18 yards.
Howard was credited with two critical blocks on both touchdown runs from Henry. He sealed his man outside on Henry’s 20-yard score in the first down and helped off right tackle Dominick Jackson on Alabama’s second rushing touchdown, a 14-yard burst in the fourth quarter.
Howard tends to save his finest work for Louisiana State University. He caught a 52-yard touchdown pass in 2013 and had two receptions in last season’s game-tying drive in the fourth quarter. Howard and the Crimson Tide will face LSU on Nov. 7 at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
Stephen M. Smith is a senior analyst and columnist for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @ESPN_Future.
