Houston Texans right tackle Tytus Howard cherishes the moments he spent at Alabama State.
At the university’s Montgomery campus, Howard honed his skills, from walk-on tight end to meritorious offensive lineman, with the Hornets from 2015-18. Howard left college with All-Southwestern Athletic Conference honors, and entered pro football as the Texans’ first-round pick in the 20219 NFL draft.
The NFLPA recognized Howard for his contributions both at Alabama State and through four years in Houston as the 2023 Black College Football Pro Player of the Year.
No doubt Howard’s on-field work measures up as he has started 54 games for the Texans. Last season, Howard earned a career-high Pro Football Focus 67.9 grade as he started 15 games at right tackle tackle and two at right guard.
Off the field, Howard hosted youth from the Houston Texans YMCA at home games at NRG Stadium as part of the Community Huddle program. He also teamed up with teammates during the Christmas holidays to help provide gifts for families from the YMCA of Greater Houston’s community outreach program at Cuney Homes Center.
“It was a huge honor,” Howard told the Texans Wire’s Brian Barefield exclusively. “I’m grateful to have been selected to win this award. It was a humbling experience to accept this award in front of the legends who were there.”
Congrats to @tyhoward71 of the @HoustonTexans on being named this year’s Black College Football Pro Player of the Year, presented by @NFLPA!
Tytus will be recognized at this Saturday’s @BCFHOF induction ceremony in Atlanta.https://t.co/YkBMwxP6sE pic.twitter.com/vMVfpidUbl
— BlackCollegeFootball (@BCFHOF) June 8, 2023
Pro football was nowhere on Howard’s horizon when he arrived at Alabama State.
“When I first got to college, I really didn’t have aspirations to play in the NFL,” Howard said. “I just wanted to go to school and then go to law school. That is why I majored in criminal justice. As I became a student of the game and learned more about football, I began to love it.”
The destination can be the journey at times, and the road Howard traveled as a Hornet provided experiences that he hopes can be inspirational to others.
Said Howard: “I was not on scholarship, so, when I first got to college, it was a grind for me. Now I go and look back at all the things I have been through; it was all worth it. To see where I am now, I never imagined myself being a first-round pick, and it is just a blessing. So, guys should look at that and say, ‘If Tytus can do it, I know I can do it too.’”
The Hornets also honored Howard last season for being the highest player drafted out of Alabama State. The eight-foot-high mural of Howard in his Texans uniform can be seen by everyone who enters the Houston Markham, Jr. Football Complex, along with former Hornets players drafted into the NFL.
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