Most Impactful Rebels for 2019: No. 39 Michael Howard

OXFORD, Miss. — As we count down the days until the Ole Miss season opener against Memphis in the Liberty Bowl, we are releasing who we think the Top 50 Most Impactful Players will be for the Rebels this season. This series is a way for Ole Miss fans to learn more about players to keep an eye on this fall.

With 39 days before kickoff, coming in at No. 39…

Michael Howard 

Michael Howard, at 6-foot-4, 268-pounds, was a four-star prospect at offensive tackle according to ESPN out of Green Cove Springs, Florida, who signed with Ole Miss in the class of 2015. ESPN listed Howard as the No. 25 offensive tackle in the country.

Howard was redshirted in 2015 in order to try and put some more weight on his body. He reported to Ole Miss around 248-pounds and is currently listed at 268 pounds in the 2019 media guide. Howard spent most of his time during his freshman, sophomore, and junior seasons working as a blocker on special teams and at tight end.

Ole Miss looks to replace three starters on the offensive line (Greg Little, Javon Patterson, and Sean Rawlings) from last season. As the Rebels finished spring camp, the first five included: junior left tackle Bryce Mathews, junior left guard Royce Newman, and junior center Eli Johnson, along with returning starters on the right side — guard Ben Brown and senior tackle Alex Givens. Howard, junior Chandler Tuitt (guard), and redshirt freshman Jalen Cunningham (guard) each received substantial reps over spring practice, as well, and will be counted upon to contribute heavily this fall.

Heading into fall camp, Howard is listed as back-up at left tackle behind junior Bryce Mathews. Coach Luke spoke last month about Mathews and Howard, saying: “Him (Mathews) and Howard are very, very athletic.”

Recently, Howard was listed in the “The 300-Pound Club” in the power clean with the fourth-heaviest lift on the team at 340 pounds:

Sam Plash | OL | 390 pounds
Charles Wiley | DE/OLB | 355 pounds
Ben Brown | G | 350 pounds
Willie Hibbler | LB | 350 pounds
Tariqious Tisdale | DE | 350 pounds
Michael Howard | OT | 340 pounds
Sincere David | DT | 340 pounds
Zikerrion Baker | LB | 335 pounds
Josiah Coatney | DT | 335 pounds
Octavious Cooley | TE | 335 pounds
Myles Hartsfield | DB | 335 pounds
Scottie Phillips | RB | 330 pounds
Mohamed Sanogo | LB | 330 pounds
K.D. Hill | DT | 328 pounds
Bryce Mathews | OL | 325 pounds
Kam White | DB | 325 pounds
Isaiah Woullard | RB | 325 pounds
Benito Jones | DT | 320 pounds
Chandler Tuitt | G | 320 pounds
Jalne Cunningham | G | 318 pounds
Alex Givens | OT | 315 pounds
Amani Johnson | OLB | 309 pounds
Sam Williams | OLB | 308 pounds
Lawson Stocket | LB | 306 pounds
Armani Linton | DB | 305 pounds
Qaadir Sheppard | OLB | 305 pounds
Brenden Williams | LB | 305 pounds
Alex Faniel | TE | 304 pounds
Austrian Robinson | DT | 304 pounds
Miles Battle | WR | 301 pounds
Jonathan Haynes | DB | 301 pounds
Ryder Anderson | DE | 300 pounds
Eli Johnson | C | 300 pounds
Royce Newman | OL | 300 pounds
Jason Pellerin | TE | 300 pounds
D’Vaughn Pennamon | RB | 300 pounds

Howard will continue to be used on special teams this fall, and with seven freshmen offensive linemen joining the team in the class of 2019, the senior’s experience could definitely lead to a bigger role on offense this fall than in his previous seasons in Oxford.

Hotty Toddy!

Top 50 Most Impactful Rebels:

39. Michael Howard
40. Vernon Dasher
41. Ryder Anderson
42. D’Vaughn Pennamon
43. C.J. Miller
44. Charles Wiley
45. Sincere David
46. Mac Brown
47. Jason Pellerin
48. Chandler Tuitt
49. Dannis Jackson
50. Jonathan Mingo