Howard Named to Associated Press
Little All-America Third Team

PORTALES, N.M. — Eastern New Mexico University senior linebacker Jeff Howard (6’2”, 220 lbs., Portales, NM/Portales HS) has been selected to the 2004 Assocated Press (A.P.) Little All-America Third Team. Earlier this month, he was named to the 2004 American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Division II Coaches’ All-America Team. Howard led ENMU with 115 tackles this season.

The A.P. Little All-America Team honors football players at the NCAA Division II and Division III levels, as well players competing in the NAIA. Eastern New Mexico University is a member of NCAA Division II and competes in the Lone Star Conference. Howard is Eastern’s first A.P. Little All-America selection since linebacker Michael Walton was chosen to the team in 1999. Walton, who also was a Second Team selection in 1998, 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 2004 A.P. Little All-America Team featured First Team, Second Team and Third Team selections. A total of 75 players were recognized for the honor, with 25 on each team. Howard was one of just nine linebackers chosen for All-America status this season.

A.P. Little All-America Third Team

Howard was selected to the A.P. Little All-America Third Team for the first time this year. He also was named to the AFCA Division II Coaches All-America Team, was a Second Team Daktronics Division II All-Southwest Region choice, and was selected First Team All-LSC South for the second consecutive year this season. 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.

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.