'Bama Commit OJ Howard Updates

"I have some good relationships on the team. Darren Lake is one of my good friends now. Vinnie Sunseri and Nico Johnson are also two good friends of mine. I always hang out with them when I go there. I can't wait to be on the team with those guys."

OJ latest comment this past Sunday after attending church with the team.
btw, OJ is now a 5* on Rivals. 1st TE since Kyle Rudolph to earned a 5* (08') :BigA:

Trobinson97 said:

He sure does. It's really going to suck when he flips to the aubs.

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his latest interview at Tidesports:


"Dee Liner, an Auburn commitment from Muscule Shoals High School, has told the media Howard will surprise many with a flip to the Tigers. Howard is friends with Liner, but considered opponents on the gridiron in the future.

"I saw last week where Dee said I was going there," Howard said. "I haven't really talked to him in a long time. I am not even sure I will visit them. I haven't been talking to them.

"I haven't really talked to Dee in forever. He just thinks everyone is coming to Auburn. He is a great guy. He is funny. I am committed to the Tide, and I am signing with Alabama."

I just saw an updated Rivals 100 and OJ has jumped up to #5 overall player.

TiderJ said:

I just saw an updated Rivals 100 and OJ has jumped up to #5 overall player.

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about damn time

In terms of the rankings of the self-proclaimed "experts," Howard is starting to enter unprecedented territory. When all is said and done, if the current pace keeps up, he'll be more highly-touted than any tight end prospect has been in recent history. Wouldn't be surprised at some point to see some of the "experts" change him to a WR just to justify the position a bit better.

Anyway, I'm pretty sure TR was just being facetious earlier. Some of you guys are just too far insecure. Sure Howard may flip in the end. So many everyone else for that matter, but for now there is nothing to indicate that is in the cards.

As for Liner and his comments, he's big on the mouth with just about anything. I wouldn't put any stock in what he says. Frankly, judging by the developments in his thread, he needs to pay attention to what he is doing and stop worrying about what everyone else has going on.

BigEasyTider said:

Anyway, I'm pretty sure TR was just being facetious earlier. Some of you guys are just too far insecure. Sure Howard may flip in the end. So many everyone else for that matter, but for now there is nothing to indicate that is in the cards.

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I agree on both points. Until OJ gives any hint of him flipping, I won't worry about him as I believe he is as a solid as any player can be to a team at this point.

As for Dee Liner comment, he is not exactly the guy I go to for recruiting updates. In fact let just say Dee Liner is the subject of a 'Go West' song in that he is the "King of wishful thinking" about OJ Howard.

CullmanTide said:

I watched him last night and thought of Newsome as well. I'd love to see him at receiver and not TE.

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Why change one of the most atletic TE's out there to a WR? He'll be a mismatch nightmare, and can block for runs as well...
too big to be a WR, but an absolute terror as a TE.

bamafaninOhiO said:

Why change one of the most atletic TE's out there to a WR? He'll be a mismatch nightmare, and can block for runs as well...
too big to be a WR, but an absolute terror as a TE.

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That is easy to say, though not necessarily correct. Howard could very well transition to WR just as easily as he could TE or H-back at 'Bama. In fact, given the problems we have had getting receivers with size, it wouldn't be a surprise to see him get a chance outside. At the least, you can bet we'll flex him out wide into the slot on occasion, even if he does stay in the TE / H-back role.

Autauga Academy doesn't get to proclaim having the #5 player in the nation very often. (Ok... never) Already told my dad that we'll have to go watch him during a game this year.

I recall him saying he'll be an EE. If so, he's in line for some good 2013 playing time. Can't wait to see what he can do.

bamafaninOhiO said:

Why change one of the most atletic TE's out there to a WR? He'll be a mismatch nightmare, and can block for runs as well...too big to be a WR, but an absolute terror as a TE.

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I agree he will be a major mismatch at TE but he would be at WR also going against smaller CB's. The #1 overall player last year, Beckham-Green, is a 6' 6" and 220 lbs WR, same size as OJ. OJ is playing TE in HS and this very well may be his college position but WR is not out of the question.

TIDE-HSV said:

That's interesting. That's exactly what I was thinking, that they'll use him as a hybrid player. To that end, they might not want to bulk him up to TE size. Smelley was at least a couple of inches shorter and played only about 10 lb heavier and he blocked adequately. Also, OJ's a bit faster than Smelley, somewhere around 4.5, while Smelley was up around 4.7, so, sure, he'll play split out some...

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I cannot see us bulking him up and using him as a traditional tight end. No real need of doing that. It just saps speed and while it's easy to say it creates match-up problems on slower linebackers, in reality it makes things a lot more difficult for him to use the athleticism because he is so frequently getting beat up by defensive ends and linebackers just trying to release into the pass route, and the small space between the Mike and the safeties can really limit his room to run free and showcase the wheels.

Really just a better option to make him a combo guy, use him in a variety of roles, and move him all over the field. With his size he can create match-up problems out wide against most corners and field safeties, and by moving him around you can stretch defenses a bit better and keep him from getting beat up so much.

TheRealPokeChop said:

Dont take the troll bait.

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TRob is no troll, Poke. Been posting for a good, long time.

sanjosecrimson said:

"I have some good relationships on the team. Darren Lake is one of my good friends now. Vinnie Sunseri and Nico Johnson are also two good friends of mine. I always hang out with them when I go there. I can't wait to be on the team with those guys."

OJ latest comment this past Sunday after attending church with the team.
btw, OJ is now a 5* on Rivals. 1st TE since Kyle Rudolph to earned a 5* (08') :BigA:

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Was great to hear this news - yet they still list him as the #2 TE behind a 4* PSU commit. Thought that was kinda funny.

BigEasyTider said:

Really just a better option to make him a combo guy, use him in a variety of roles, and move him all over the field. With his size he can create match-up problems out wide against most corners and field safeties, and by moving him around you can stretch defenses a bit better and keep him from getting beat up so much.

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I imagine him being utilized like some of Wisconsin's more athletic, pass catching TEs of recent years. Still a real asset in the run game, but a matchup headache as a receiver.

Nolcbear said:

TRob is no troll, Poke. Been posting for a good, long time.

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I know that, but his post stated something that would cause a panic without justifying it. sarcasm or no, we regular posters can troll the board as well as a new poster, even if we don't mean too.

TheRealPokeChop said:

I know that, but his post stated something that would cause a panic without justifying it. sarcasm or no, we regular posters can troll the board as well as a new poster, even if we don't mean too.

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Understood, buddy.

Apparently he's planning on attending the 'Bama v. Michigan game in Dallas.

But ITAT told me...

BigEasyTider said:

Apparently he's planning on attending the 'Bama v. Michigan game in Dallas.

But ITAT told me...

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Wait, he's going to go all the way to Dallas to watch Bama play instead of going up I-85 to watch Auburn play? Surely, you missed understood the informed posters of ITAT. :wink: