University of Tennessee Athletics
Howard's Maturity Guides Vol Receivers
December 30, 2014 | Football
By Brian Rice
UTSports.com
JACKSONVILLE, Fla.
-- Some coaches will tell you that they coach to win. Others, if you get right down to it, would say it's about the lifestyle that their job allows them to lead. But Butch Jones coaches to help individuals change their lives.One of those individuals is a player that has come back from an uncertain future in the program and in the University to become one of Tennessee's biggest success stories this season, both on the field and off.
Alton Howard was not with the Volunteers during spring practice, his return far from a sure thing. He earned his way back to the team over the summer and the talk of fall camp was how his habits and approach had changed completely. By the end of the season, he was UT's leading receiver, both in catches and total yards.
"We talk about coaching is creating change, and when you see individuals change and really grow up and mature and learn from their past experiences," Jones said. "It's very fulfilling and that's why you coach."
The key to his new outlook was very simple. Like many college kids, athletes and non-athletes alike, the thing missing was maturity.
"He's been very mature in every aspect," Jones said. "He's been very determined, very goal-oriented and he's been extremely consistent every day in practice and in games."
Offensive coordinator Mike Bajakian has seen the change in Howard and the results that it has produced.
"Alton has done a great job," Bajakian said. "He's obviously the most experienced guy we have and he's playing like a better player. You could turn video on from last year and he where he's grown from last year to this year and as much as anything, I'm happy with his focus and the way he's been able to sustain throughout the course of the season."
Not only has he been a player that the Volunteers have counted on for his performance on the field, but they have made him an example to follow in the film room.
Behind Howard, three of the next four Tennessee reception leaders, Von Pearson, Jalen Hurd and Josh Malone, were first-year players. UT has also had to rely on more freshmen at the position as the season has worn on and an abnormally high amount of attrition has piled up.
"It is good with such a young team to be able to point to him and say, `Hey, continue to work hard and continue to stay focused Vic Wharton, Josh Malone,'" Bajakian said. "With those young guys, look at all of them and see how hard work and people progress."
There is one more game for Howard to display that progress. Jones said Tuesday that the time off has helped everyone, but it has helped restore Howard's game-changing speed. Speed that the Volunteers will need against Iowa.
"We're going to need him to step up big," Jones said. "I've been very proud of him and how he's matured. It's a great story."
