TE O.J. Howard discusses Alabama’s quarterback situation
By Adam Spencer
Published:
Alabama TE O.J. Howard had an outstanding performance in the national championship game last season, recording five catches for 208 yards and two touchdowns in the Crimson Tide’s 45-40 victory over Clemson.
But, entering his senior season, he’ll be catching passes from his fourth quarterback in four years.
Howard has seen AJ McCarron, Blake Sims and Jake Coker come and go, leaving before they were able to build any lasting chemistry with their 6-foot-6, 240-pound tight end.
Looking to build upon his career-best 38 catches and 602 yards from last season, Howard knows what he wants from the quarterback position in 2016, according to an AL.com article:
“The biggest thing is like a leader,” Howard said. “Who can lead the offense, take charge? That’s what coach wants to see out of a quarterback too I’m pretty sure. Who can be the leader, take charge, take command of the huddle.”
Howard likes what he’s seen from the guys in Alabama’s quarterback battle so far — redshirt junior Cooper Bateman, redshirt sophomore David Cornwell, redshirt freshman Blake Barnett and true freshman Jalen Hurts.
But, he added, he knows it’s partially his responsibility to help whoever wins the job turn into a leader who can help the Tide get back to the College Football Playoff:
“My job is really to let those guys gain trust in me and the way I run routes and catch the ball,” Howard said. “I think that’s for everybody on the offensive side of the ball. Those guys have done a great job being leaders in the huddle. You know, sometimes when things are going south, they kind of pick everybody up, ‘Let’s go, let’s get it going,’ I think if they keep doing that, we’ll be fine.”
With less than three weeks to go until Alabama’s season opener against USC on Sept. 3, no decision has been made on a starting quarterback.
Adam is a daily fantasy sports (DFS) and sports betting expert. A 2012 graduate of the University of Missouri, Adam now covers all 16 SEC football teams. He is the director of DFS, evergreen and newsletter content across all Saturday Football brands.
