Desmond Howard is a famous name throughout college football. He had a successful career at the University of Michigan and became a Super Bowl Champion as an NFL player.

Since he retired from football, Howard has become a reputable person throughout college football. During his NFL career, he played for five different teams.

Desmond Howard was a standout in college football

Howard is a native of Cleveland, Ohio, and decided to attend Michigan to play college football. When he first arrived at Michigan, he was a running back, but his position changed over time. In his three years at Michigan, he became a wide receiver and return specialist and one of the team’s top players. During the 1990 season, he finished with 63 receptions for 1,025 yards and 11 touchdowns. 

Howard was a playmaker on the field and made many big-time plays throughout his time at Michigan. He had a breakout season in his junior year. During the 1991 season, he had 62 receptions for 985 yards and 19 touchdowns, and he also rushed for 180 yards and two touchdowns. Howard led the Big Ten in scoring during the 1991 season with 138 points.

He went on to win the Heisman Trophy, Maxwell Award, and Walter Camp Award, earning first-team All-American honors. His career at Michigan was impressive, and his No. 21 jersey was retired. In 2011, he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. After his impressive career at Michigan, Howard was ready to begin his career in the NFL.

Taking a look at Howard’s early career in the NFL

The Washington Football Team selected Howard in the first round of the 1992 NFL draft. Howard spent three seasons in Washington, and he became a starter in his final year there. During the 1994 season, Howard had 40 receptions for 727 yards and five touchdowns. After his time in Washington, Howard did not start in many games, but he was a productive player on the field.

Howard spent one season with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 1995 and then joined the Green Bay Packers the next season. During his time in Green Bay, he made the Pro Bowl for the first and only time in his career and was a first-team All-Pro selection. He led the league in punt returns, punt return yards, punt return average, and punt return touchdowns. Howard was a part of the Super Bowl-winning team during the 1996 season, and he was named MVP of the Super Bowl. During the game, he recorded 90 punt return yards and 154 kickoff return yards with one touchdown. Howard is the only player ever to win the Super Bowl MVP award based on his special teams’ performance.

Desmond Howard spent nine seasons in the NFL

While Howard did not have the same success in the NFL that he had in college, he still had a productive career. Not too many people win a Super Bowl, but Howard can say he did that, and he can say he was named the MVP of the Super Bowl. He finished his NFL career with 10,855 total yards and 17 touchdowns.

On Saturdays during college football season, Howard is a recognizable face on ESPN as he’s an analyst for college football. Howard left his mark on college football, and he will always be considered as one of the top players in all of college football.