Howard Selected to
AFCA Division II Coaches’ All-America Team
Senior Linebacker is one of 25 Athletes Honored

PORTALES, N.M. — Eastern New Mexico University senior linebacker Jeff Howard (6’2”, 220 lbs., Portales, NM/Portales HS) has been named to the 2004 AFCA Division II Coaches’ All-America Team, as selected by members of the American Football Coaches Association. Howard, who led the ENMU defense in tackles each of the past two seasons, recorded 115 tackles in 2004. Howard was the third ENMU player selected to the AFCA All-America Team.

Conrad Hamilton was named at defensive back in 1994, and Michael Walton was chosen at linebacker in 1998 and 1999. Hamilton played in the National Football League with the New York Giants and the Atlanta Falcons. Walton is in his third season as a full-time assistant coach at ENMU, after serving as a graduate assistant for two years.

Howard helped the Greyhounds achieve a 6-5 overall record in 2004, including a 4-2 record and a third place finish in the Lone Star Conference South Division. It was ENMU’s seventh consecutive winning campaign. Eastern has earned a combined
record of 48-27 since 1998, including 26-17 during Howard’s four seasons with the Greyhounds.

The AFCA has selected an All-America team every year since 1945. The 2004 AFCA Division II Coaches’ All-America Team honored a total of 25 players. Each recipient of the award receives a plaque commemorating his selection.

AFCA Division II Coaches’ All-America Team

Howard was chosen for the AFCA Division II Coaches’ All-America Team for the first time. He was named Second Team Daktronics Division II All-Southwest Region this year, and was selected First Team All-LSC South in 2003 and 2004. He concluded his four-year collegiate career with 248 total tackles. He made 133 unassisted tackles to go with 115 assists.

This fall, he led the Greyhounds with 67 unassisted tackles and 48 assists on his way to ranking first on the team in total tackles. He registered 9.0 tackles for losses and 4.5 sacks. He picked off three passes and returned two of the interceptions for touchdowns (48 yards vs. SW Oklahoma and 41 yards vs. Abilene Christian). He ranked first in the LSC and tied for 18th in the nation with 6.1 solo tackles per game. He was fourth in the LSC and tied for 35th in NCAA Division II with 10.5 total tackles per game.

In 2004, Howard was selected First Team ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District VI for the second straight year. He also was named to the LSC South All-Academic Team for the second year in a row, and gained a spot on the LSC South Commissioner’s Honor Roll for the third consecutive season. He is majoring in Biology (Pre-Medicine) and has a 3.69 cumulative GPA.

“I’m just super proud of Jeff Howard and we’re just really happy that he’s received this award,” said Mark Ribaudo, ENMU’s defensive coordinator who has been named head coach effective in January. “He’s really deserved it.

“He always wasn’t just physically prepared, but he was also mentally prepared,” Ribaudo added.“And I think that separate’s the top players.”

Howard’s 248 career tackles included 29 tackles for losses of 98 yards, and 7.5 quarterback sacks for 48 yards lost. He intercepted four passes, forced four fumbles, recovered four fumbles and broke up three passes. He led the Hounds with 85 total tackles in 2003, as he provided 39 solo tackles and 46 assists. Including his 115 tackles in 2004, Howard registered 200 tackles during his last two seasons at Eastern. He is the son of ENMU Offensive Coordinator Mike Howard.

“I’m extremely thankful that he got it (All-America),” Mike Howard said. “I enjoyed being able to hear the roar of the crowd when he was making a big play, not only as a dad, but also as a coach, because when the defense was playing well, it made my job easier.”