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Former Bucs first round pick joins West Alabama football staff

Former Bucs first round pick joins West Alabama football staff

USA Today12-03-2025
Former Bucs first round pick joins West Alabama football staff
When the Bucs drafted O.J. Howard in the first round in 2017, expectations were high. While he never proved to be worth the value of his draft selection, he played a pivotal role in their 2020 Super Bowl run. He flashed at moments on the field, but off the field, and for the team, he was the ultimate professional, which is why he stuck around as long as he did.
Fast forward eight years after he was drafted, O.J. Howard is transitioning to a new chapter in his football life.
The University of West Alabama announced on Tuesday that the former Bucs tight end was joining the program as its Director of Player Development.
Before his seven-year NFL career, Howard played for the University of Alabama under coach Nick Saban. One can imagine that the idea of a homecoming of sorts appealed to Howard after he grew up just two hours away from West Alabama in Prattsville.
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