LIVINGSTON, Ala. - The University of West Alabama Football program and head coach Scott Cochran continues to add to their prestigious staff as Cochran announced the hiring of OJ Howard as the program's Director of Player Development on Tuesday.
Howard becomes the fourth former University of Alabama player and third former NFL player to join West Alabama's staff since Cochran's hiring in early February.
"We're thrilled to welcome another Alabama Football legend and NFL Champion, O.J. Howard," said Coach Cochran. "O.J. was an outstanding athlete at Alabama, earning a first-round NFL Draft selection, but what truly set him apart was his leadership. He is a leader of men, and that's exactly why he's the perfect fit for this role."
As a player, Howard broke onto the National scene as a Five-Star High School Recruit before signing with Nick Saban and the Alabama Crimson Tide in 2013. Playing Tight End, Howard was a weapon in the Crimson Tide offense, registering 114 catches, 1,726 receiving yards, and seven touchdowns throughout his career while sharing the field with pass catchers such as Amari Cooper, Calvin Ridley, and Ardarius Stewart. Howard was instrumental to an Alabama program that won a National Championship in 2015 as he was named the National Championship game MVP while also propelling the Crimson Tide to three SEC Championships during his time with the Tide from 2013-2016.
After a sensational collegiate career, Howard was selected in the first round of the NFL Draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, becoming the second Alabama Tight End in School history to be selected in the first round in the common draft era. The Prattville native was an immediate starter for Tampa Bay and went on to play five seasons with the Buccaneers, accumulating 119 receptions, 1,737 receiving yards, and 15 touchdowns, including a career-high six touchdowns as a rookie. Playing alongside NFL Legends in Tom Brady, Rob Gronkowski, Antonio Brown, etc., Howard won the first and only Super Bowl of his career in 2021 with the Buccaneers defeating the Kansas City Chiefs, 31-9.
Howard's tenure with Tampa Bay came to a close at the end of the 2021 season as the newly minted Director of Player Development signed a deal with the Buffalo Bills in 2022. The Prattville native played for the Bills, Texans, and Raiders over the next two years and is now ready to make his impact on the other side of the sidelines, becoming Cochran's Director of Player Development at West Alabama.
"O.J. has excelled at every level of football," Cochran continued. "I can't wait to get him here and around the group that we have."
Howard is slated to arrive on campus on April 1.
