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Pig Howard will continue to shine in x-factor role for Tennessee
By Jason Hall
Published:
It’s difficult to put a label on Pig Howard.
Not just for having one of the strangest nicknames in SEC history, but also for being a skill player that can be placed in several formations. A wide receiver by trade, Howard provided Tennessee with its first rushing touchdown of the season during a 38-7 win over Utah State Sunday. He’s also taken snaps from the wildcat formation (dubbed the “Wild Pig”) in the past and even attempted a pass on a reverse handoff in last week’s win.
Howard is the most experienced wideout on Tennessee’s roster and perhaps the most overlooked. For all of Marquez North’s preseason accolades and the addition of JUCO All-American Von Pearson and five-star prospect Josh Malone, Howard has been lost in the shadows. Howard did serve a suspension this offseason that had many Vol fans dreading a potential dismissal. But, Tennessee reinstated its leading receiver from the previous season in July and participated in team events since.
What shouldn’t be overlooked is Howard’s importance to Tennessee’s offense as an x-factor. Though he may not have the size of a traditional wide receiver, he has the speed and skills to excel at several different positions.
Howard might be the Vols’ biggest threat to opposing defenses because there’s no sure way to prepare for him. He has the capability to make plays from the line of scrimmage or backfield. In a game where Tennessee shared time and possessions between skill players, Howard made a splash at both rushing and receiving last Sunday.
When he’s at his best, Tennessee is a competitive team and can cause fits to opposing defenses. Howard will continue to produce as the Vols’ x-factor this season and should provide a spark to a young offense.
A former freelance journalist from Nashville, Jason covers Tennessee, Vanderbilt and Kentucky
