Pup Howard’s transfer from South Carolina to Florida proved to be an immediate success for the Gators’ linebacker corps, transforming what was once considered a liability into a position of strength. In his first season with Florida, Howard made a significant impact, starting nine games before being sidelined with an injury. During his active period, he recorded impressive statistics: 37 tackles (17 solo), 1.0 sack, 2.0 TFLs, two fumble recoveries, one forced fumble, two QB hurries and one pass breakup. His performance earned him a 68.7 PFF grade and an outstanding 84.2 run defense grade, ranking 23rd in the FBS.
LISTEN or WATCH: Billy Napier EXCLUSIVE: Building Momentum and Belief in Year 4 at Florida
In a recent Q&A session with Florida Victorious members, Howard discussed various aspects of his game and the team’s development. When asked about his strengths and offseason priorities, Howard emphasized, “My two strengths I would say are my play diagnosis and my leadership on and off the field.” He added that his focus remains on “turnovers and tackles, coverage turnovers and forced turnover (punch outs), and continuing to improve the art of tacking!”
The linebacker praised defensive coordinator Ron Roberts’ impact on the program, stating, “Coach Ron Roberts has done an amazing Job of changing the standard of defensive football around here. The way that he brings the best out of you is top tier coaching, and I believe we are just going to continue to elevate.”
Addressing the defense’s mid-season improvement, Howard provided insight into the team’s development: “I think sometimes we forget that football is the true game of life. Theres no such thing as instant gratification in football. We had tons of transfers with a new DC, it’s going to take some time for everyone to mesh and get on the same page, but as we seen once we clicked, we clicked.”
Howard’s versatility may become a valuable asset for the Gators. When questioned about his ability to play multiple positions, he responded, “Absolutely, the game now is about versatility and being able to help the defense in different places and situations is only a positive.”This versatility hasn’t gone unnoticed by the coaching staff, with head coach Billy Napier noting on a recent episode of Gators Breakdown about the EDGE position, “Obviously, we have some position flexibility with some guys like Pup Howard.”
Unfortunately, Howard’s season was cut short due to injury, forcing him to miss the team’s late-season win streak. Reflecting on this challenging period, Howard shared, “It’s the hardest thing I had to do and still bothers me every day I wake up but God has a reason for everything and I did everything I could with the cards I was dealt and cant thank the lord enough for the ups and downs.”
Looking ahead, Pup Howard’s determination and resilience through injury, combined with his impressive defensive stats and versatile skill set, position him as a key player for the Gators in 2025. His commitment to improving turnovers and tackles, along with Coach Roberts’ defensive strategy, suggests a promising future for Florida’s defense. As Howard continues to develop his versatilityand leadership qualities, he will likely play an instrumental role in maintaining the elevated defensive standard that the team established during their late-season success.
YOU CAN TAKE PART IN CHATS WITH PLAYERS AND BE THE DIFFERENCE! Join Florida Victorious today. Save 20% on your first month with code: GATORSBD
0 Comments