Despite injuries, Howard was among the top defensive players on the Golden Eagle roster in 2009 and should be a major factor in Tech's plans in 2010...missed all of spring drills with injuries...when he's healthy he will be one of the most talented players on the team...two years of experience...will see lots of playing time at the bull middle linebacker position as a junior...playmaker...great athletic ability...can really run...loves to hit...solid player with middle linebacker skills and mentality...agile and mobile player with good strength and technique.

AT TECH -- (In 2009): Started eight games at middle linebacker but battled injuries throughout the season...finished fourth on the team in total tackles with 57 despite missing a game...also had 4.0 tackles-for-loss and caused a fumble...was averaging nearly 10 tackles per game through the first three games, getting eight against Pikeville and Kansas State and season-high 11 at Eastern Kentucky...came back later in the year to record eight stops against Tennessee State and seven versus Georgia...had a standout performance at EKU with 11 tackles, three tackles-for-loss and a fumble forced.

(In 2008): Howard saw action in seven games as a true freshman at the Bull linebacker position...made 17 total tackles including two tackles-for-loss...had one quarterback sack...made four tackles at Louisville in his first collegiate action...had career-high six tackles in victory over Central Methodist, including a sack...had five tackles at Murray State.

HIGH SCHOOL: Howard led his Pearl-Cohn High School team to back-to-back region championships...two-time All-Metro and two-time Tennessee All-State selection...named the Region Defensive MVP twice...as a senior he piled up 178 total tackles with 35 tackles-for-loss, three interceptions and five fumbles caused...also had nine QB sacks and blocked three punts...for his career he had 390 total tackles with seven interceptions, 24 sacks and caused 11 fumbles.

PERSONAL: The son of Howard and Sharon Griffin...birthdate is February 18, 1990...full name is Howard Lee Griffin, Jr...majoring in business management.