Jaye Howard - Lessons Learned
Wednesday, November 23, 2011 | Football
By Lacey Duncan, UF Communications
Like most of his teammates, University of Florida redshirt senior defensive tackle Jaye Howard has played sports his entire life.
However, the sport he grew up with had him hitting a small white ball dressed in red laces instead of hitting opposing running backs. Howard primarily played baseball until his freshman year of high school, when his eventual 6'3”, 303-pound frame prompted him to take his talents to the football field.
“I played baseball my entire life,” the Apopka, Fla., native said. “Everyone said that I was too big, so I was kind of forced into playing football.”
Howard began to play football as a freshman in high school, shifting his attention away from baseball after he realized that collegiate baseball was likely not in his future plans.
“My high school wasn't big on baseball, so there was a point where the only way out was football,” the Jones graduate said. “I started getting scholarship offers in football, and that's when it became clear that it was the best route for me.”
His 116 tackles, including 20 tackles for a loss, during his junior year were accompanied by a senior campaign in which he totaled 80 tackles, 15 sacks and four fumble recoveries, earning him the opportunity to represent the Gators.
“I never thought that I would be at the University of Florida,” he admitted. “I thought that I would be playing football at a smaller school. We have great coaches on the Gator staff and they are here to help make us better.”
During his transition from the diamond to the gridiron, Howard was able to find encouragement from two special people in his life.
“My mom and my little sister inspire me,” he said. “I wake up every morning and look at their pictures next to my bed before I go out to practice. That's what motivates me. I want to provide for them.”
Following the 2010 season, and Florida's 37-24 win over Penn State in the Outback Bowl, Howard had planned to enter the 2011 NFL Draft. The family-oriented senior wanted to be able to better assist his mother and sister in the best way possible.
Even though the NFL was on his mind, it only took one phone conversation for him to alter his thought process.
“Coach Muschamp called me right after the Outback Bowl last year and said, 'You can come back and improve your stock even more before going to the NFL. We're bringing in a great coaching staff, and you can learn a lot from them,” Howard recalled.
While that conversation was a primary factor in helping Howard decide to complete his tenure donning the Orange and Blue, his family also played a key role in that decision. They were instrumental in Howard's return to The Swamp for his senior year.
“My Mom and I decided that it was best for me to come back to college and earn my degree,” he acknowledged. “I didn't want to come this far just to have to come back to school later. I am excited to say that I will earn my degree in December.”
Howard plans to use his Family, Youth and Community Sciences degree to open a non-profit organization that will provide for inner-city youth in the Orlando area. During his final semester at UF, he spends two days a week helping teachers in the Exceptional Student Education (ESE) Program at Howard Bishop Middle School in order to complete a required internship.
What Howard gains from those two days a week is invaluable.
“You never know what a kid is going through. I am happy that some of them feel comfortable enough to tell me what's going on. It's been a good life-changing experience for me.”
With his senior season coming to a close, Howard embraces the skills that his internship has taught him, and tries to use them to become a better leader on the team.
In the midst of an upward climb after a difficult October, Howard has provided the team with a positive outlook toward the end of the season.
"The only thing that we can do is just keep the team motivated and keep pushing,” the two-time SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week said. “The season's not over. We can go out and win and get a good bowl game. That's what we're playing for right now."
Howard has learned a lot during his five years at Florida, but the lesson he remembers most as he finishes the season strong come from his middle school students.
“They teach me not to take life for granted.”
