Projecting the Future: Alton "Pig" Howard

by Brad Shepard on Jan 23, 2012 10:50 PM EST in Tennessee Volunteers Recruiting

ALTON "PIG" HOWARD, 5-9, 180 WR ORLANDO [EDGEWATER HS]

Ratings: Rivals 4* No. 47 wide receiver No. 41 player in Florida, Scout 3* No. 76 wide receiver, ESPN 4* No. 150 overall prospect in the nation No. 22 wide receiver No. 29 player in Florida, 247 4* No. 121 overall player in the nation No. 14 wide receiver No. 19 player in Florida. Chose UT over Florida, Central Florida, South Florida, West Virginia, Ohio State, UCLA, Southern Cal, Notre Dame, Miami, Michigan State, Michigan, South Carolina, Utah, Kentucky, Louisville, Cincinnati, others.

STRENGTHS: Blazing fast athlete who is incredible with the ball in his hands. He has that quick-cut, turn-on-a-dime ability that UT sorely lacks on offense. He also is a legit 4.4 player. He also can run the football and has an explosive burst. Makes good grades and by all accounts is a great leader on the field and off. He is very well put-together for a kid his size, and is a bundle of muscles who appears pretty durable. He plays bigger than he is.

NEEDS WORK: It's going to be tough to work on his size, but he is pretty small. If he really is a wide receiver, he certainly isn't going to be a downfield threat who is a mismatch for cornerbacks but rather a player who you get the ball to and let him work in space. Howard needs to work a bit on his hands, but they aren't bad by any stretch. He just needs to get more consistent catching and route-running.

CREDENTIALS: As a junior, he amassed 1,040 receiving yards, 546 rushing yards, 130 passing yards and 19 touchdowns as he was named one of the top five players in Central Florida by the Orlando Sentinel and garnered all-state accolades. He was named one of the top two RUNNING BACKS at the Under Armour All-America game, drawing praise for his lateral quickness. He looked like one of those typical UF backs like Chris Rainey. Completed 5-of-14 passes for 114 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. Had 55 carries for 392 yards and three touchdowns and 36 catches for 691 yards and five receiving touchdowns.

OPTIMISTIC CEILING: The Vols haven't had a player of Howard's caliber, speed and stature in some time. Really, I'm having a difficult time comparing him to anybody UT has had of late, but he does remind me of a bit slower Rainey. He has the same kind of quick-twitch athleticism, though he isn't a complete blazer like Rainey. He is very well put-together, and players like Pig should be able to step in and help the Vols on offense because of the lack of team-speed present. He is faster than Devrin Young, but they kind of remind me of each other a bit. Howard is better in space. I fully believe he'll get touches next year, and UT may even run some Wild Pig with him.

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I feel like

UT is now going to be loaded with offensive talent, at least at the skills positions.

Early reports said he was a low 4.3 player, but I’ll agree about the legit 4.4 more than I would 4.3. He’s very fast, but not mind-blowingly fast.

Now, if he could get some open space, he has amazing abilities. Actually reminds me more of a LaMichael James player, who if he can get an inch of open space he can make a play.

It's Great! To be! A Tennessee Vol!

by falconnuke on Jan 23, 2012 11:02 PM EST reply actions

How is that not mind-blowing fast?

And if thats the case, who is mind-blowing fast?

"We've got weapons, we've still got weapons... That's terrible, I apologize."
- Bruce Pearl

by bsmithinc on Jan 24, 2012 12:50 PM EST up reply actions

Chris Johnson ran a 4.28!

"Do the Titans have a miracle left in them in what has been a magical season to this point? If they do, they need it now. Christie kicks it high and short. Gonna be fielded by Lorenzo Neal at the 25; he dishes it back to Wycheck; he throws it across the field to Dyson. 30, 40, 50, 40, 30, 20, 10, 5, endzone...touchdown, Titans! There are no flags on the field! It's a miracle! Tennessee has pulled a miracle! A miracle for the Titans!"

by TennesseeTyrants on Jan 24, 2012 2:22 PM EST up reply actions

I'm excited

About this kid. I hate to say it, but it reminds me of when Nu’Keese was coming in. We expected him to be fast, shifty, and a big playmaker. That of course did not work out, but it appears that Pig is a much better human being than Nu’Keese so I have a good feeling that he will contribute early.

Go Vols!

by ReebaVol on Jan 24, 2012 1:02 PM EST reply actions

He's not mind-blowing fast. His quickness will make him look that way. He is not a 4.3 guy

Mind-blowing fast is DeAnthony Thomas. Jeff Demps. Guys like that. Pig is Coker/LaMichael James fast.

Holdin' it down on enemy grounds.

Anti-Snail on offense; Give me a slobberknocker, or give me death!

by Brad Shepard on Jan 24, 2012 1:12 PM EST reply actions

Valid

I’ll take quickness over speed any day.

"We've got weapons, we've still got weapons... That's terrible, I apologize."
- Bruce Pearl

by bsmithinc on Jan 24, 2012 1:22 PM EST up reply actions

LaMichael James

Tends to outrun most any defender when he gets out in front, so I will take this any day. If we can get 15 or more yards on those bubble screens TN has tried for the last years with no success I will be happy.

by docrok on Jan 24, 2012 3:01 PM EST up reply actions