Hoosiers’ Howard To Enter NFL Draft

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Indiana junior running back Jordan Howard announced Monday that he will forego his senior season and enter the 2016 NFL Draft.

A first team All-Big Ten selection, Howard entered the bowl season second in the Big Ten with 134.8 rushing yards per game (9th nationally) and 146.6 all-purpose yards per game (15th). He helped the Hoosiers earn a trip to the New Era Pinstripe Bowl and finished the year with 1,213 rushing yards (3rd in Big Ten; 30th nationally) on 196 carries (3rd), a 6.2 average (3rd; 26th), with nine rushing touchdowns and 10 total TDs despite missing 22 quarters of action.

Below is a statement from Howard:

“After much thought and prayer, I have decided to forego my final year of eligibility to pursue my lifelong dream of playing in the NFL.

My success to date would not have been possible without God and the support of family and countless people. I’d like to thank my parents, Dr. Reginald Howard (deceased) and Flora Williams for their unyielding and unwavering support over the years.

My sincerest thanks to all of my coaches and teammates at Indiana University and the University of Alabama-Birmingham. I would like to personally thank former UAB coach Garrick McGee for believing in me and giving me the opportunity to play at the collegiate level. Coach Kevin Wilson, thank you for allowing me to be a part of a great football family. Coach Deland McCullough, thank you for coaching and pushing me to realize my true potential. Coach Mark Hill, thank you for inspiring me to work harder at strength and conditioning.

To my IU family, I could have never imagined receiving the love and support that you all have shown me since my arrival on campus. A special thanks to the training staff, Christa Sist and IU academics.

Today, because of the prayers, love and support of so many people, I’m one step closer to making my NFL dream a reality! God bless and Go Hoosiers!”

Howard became the 11th Hoosier (16th time) to reach 1,000 yards and is 12th on the program’s all-time single-season list.

The Gardendale, Ala., native closed out his career with 17 100-yard games, including in 10 of his last 13, and 12 150-yarders. He had six 100-yarders, five 150-yarders (T-4th nationally) and two 200-yarders (T-5th) in 2015, is fifth on the school’s single-season list in 100-yard games and shares fourth in 150-yard and 200-yard games.

Since the start of 2013, Howard ranks first nationally among active running backs with 12 150-yard games, third with 647 attempts, fourth with 3,681 rushing yards, fifth with 17 100-yard games, sixth with 115.0 rushing yards per game, seventh with 3,942 yards from scrimmage, tied for seventh with three 200-yard games, ninth with 123.2 yards from scrimmage per game, 10th with 3,942 all-purpose yards and 11th with 123.2 all-purpose yards per game.