Speedy Howard gets to prove himself quickly
AggieYell.com continues its list of the 30 most important players to Texas A&M's 2017 success with #20, nickel Antonio "Speedy" Howard.
Class: Sophomore (JUCO Transfer)
Height/Weight: 5-foot-10, 195 pounds
2016 stats (at Independence CC): 19 tackles, 2 TFL, 2 sacks, 1 forced fumble, 2 fumble recoveries in 9 games
Why he's on the list: Because it looks like he's done something that can almost be considered amazing -- he's allowed the Aggies to move Donovan Wilson from nickel to strong safety. In order to do that, A&M was going to have to find someone who was fast, had a nose for the ball and was just as willing to tackle a running back as they were defending the pass. Howard, the last signee in the 2017 class, was originally supposed to compete for an outside corner job but instead quickly found a home at nickel.
AY projection: Howard's an intriguing guy, because his JUCO stats indicate he's willing to go after the quarterback when he's given the chance but has very little to go by in terms of pass coverage. He set the recruiting world on fire when he blazed a 4.3-second 40-yard dash in the late spring, and the Aggies jumped at the chance to add him. He'll get a chance to prove himself immediately and, if he's up to the task, he'll be in the lineup for the next three years.
