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Former Alabama tight end O.J. Howard was drafted 19th overall by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Howard becomes the latest addition to the “First Rounders Society” of Alabama players in the Nick Saban Dynasty, joining Andre Smith (2009), Rolando McClain and Kareem Jackson (2010), Marcell Dareus, Julio Jones, James Carpenter and Mark Ingram (2011), Trent Richardson, Mark Barron, Dre Kirkpatrick and Dont’a Hightower (2012), Dee Milliner, Chance Warmack and D.J. Fluker (2013), C.J. Mosley and HaHa Clinton-Dix (2014), Amari Cooper (2015), Ryan Kelly (2016) and Marlon Humphrey and Jonathan Allen (2017).
He becomes the tenth offensive player drafted in the first round under Saban and the first at the tight end position.
Howard is also the first tight end out of Alabama drafted in the first round since Ozzie Newsome in 1978 and the 28th overall on offense.
As has been discussed already, Howard is one of the most athletic tight ends to come out of college in awhile and it stands to reason that he’s going to give the Bucs an added dimension in their passing game.
Congratulations to O.J. and best of luck in the NFL!