Alabama's junior tight end O.J. Howard is receiving some praise this season, and he has been compared to Jaguars tight end Julius Thomas by NFL scouts, according to Charlie Campbell of walterfootball.com.
Howard fits the mold as a prototypical NFL tight end; he is listed at 6-foot-6 and weighs 242 pounds. In his sophomore season, He didn't perform up to NFL standards as he only caught 17 passes for 260 yards. Howard was expected to have a big season last year, but many felt that the Crimson Tide were forcing the ball to Amari Cooper instead of spreading it around.
Howard will have to have a big season to jump up draft boards, but the junior tight end is making his case this season. Howard already has 269 yards receiving yards and two touchdowns. He put on weight this offseason, improving his blocking skills.
If Howard can work on his blocking skills and his route running this season, he is likely to move up draft boards. He is considered to be the second best tight end in college football this season, only behind Arkansas' Hunter Henry, according to walterfootball.com.
Howard has a ton of potential, but scouts will likely wait the entire season before they make their decision on the tight end. Quarterback Jake Coker will have to make his tight end look good and that he continues to throw the ball his way.
While Howard is not at a Julius Thomas level yet, he does bring some similarities that could boost him up draft boards.
