Every year, there are a few Cinderella stories that capture not only the attention of the media and fans, but also professional scouts. This year, many of those talent evaluators feel the glass slipper perfectly fits Howard, a cat-quick, undersized college defensive end. With his blazing speed and lack of bulk, he will probably shift to linebacker at the next level.

Many hope Howard have the same success in converting to that position as Dallas' trio of DeMarcus Ware, Greg Ellis and Anthony Spencer, New England's Mike Vrabel and Pittsburgh's Clark Haggans, all former college down linemen who have had great success moving to the linebacker unit. After patiently biding his time at Georgia, playing behind Charles Johnson and Quentin Moses his first three years, Howard is more than up to the task at handling whatever challenge that lies ahead in 2008.

At Hanahan High School, Howard was a three-time All-Region and two-time Class AA All-State selection as a running back and linebacker. He was named Class AA All-State by the Associated Press and the South Carolina Pigskin Prep, adding Class AA Defensive Player of the Year honors as a senior. BorderWars.com rated him the seventh-best player in the state of South Carolina. He was chosen the South Defensive MVP in the North-South All-Star game and earned Region 6-AA Player of the Year honors.

Howard was selected the Post and Courier (Charleston) Most Valuable Defensive Back, All-Low Country and Palmetto Touchdown Club Defensive Back of the Year. He recorded 89 tackles, nine stops for losses, three interceptions and returned a fumble for a touchdown as a senior. He also gained 952 yards rushing with 17 touchdowns that year.

Howard was also a member of the basketball and track squads. He placed third in the 100- and 200-meter dashes at the 2002 AA State meet. At the Region 6-AA championships, he went on to win both events.

In 2003, the 210-pound Howard enrolled at Georgia, spending the season performing on the scout team. He appeared in 11 games as a reserve strong-side outside linebacker in 2004, coming up with just three tackles (2 solos). He shifted to strong-side defensive end in 2005, playing in 13 games behind Will Thompson. He posted 24 tackles (16 solos) with 1 ½ sacks and pressured the quarterback six times.

Howard again shifted positions as a junior, moving to weak-side defensive end, playing in 13 games behind Moses. He managed to record 11 tackles (10 solos) with four pressures, as he also caused and recovered a fumble.

As a senior, Howard garnered All-Southeastern Conference honors. Finally given a starting opportunity, the weak-side end registered 42 quarterback pressures, as he ranked second in the league and led the team with 10 ½ sacks. His 12 stops behind the line of scrimmage tied for the team lead, adding 41 tackles (32 solos). He caused three fumbles and recovered two others, returning one for a touchdown. He also broke up three passes.

In 50 games at Georgia, Howard started 13 contests. He closed out his career with 79 tackles (60 solos), 12 sacks for minus-116 yards and 13 ½ stops for losses of 121 yards. He added 52 quarterback pressures with four forced fumbles and also had three fumble recoveries, returning two for a total of 23 yards and a touchdown. He also deflected three passes.

Positives: Well-proportioned athlete with a thick upper body frame and torso, defined hips, calves and thighs … Smooth and fluid open-field runner who is best when making tackles on the move … Lacks the strength to knock offensive linemen to the ground on a consistent basis, but does a good job of using his hands and pass rush moves to slip under blocks or get an edge on the outside shoulder of the lineman … Plays at a good pad level and is explosive in his initial burst, doing a nice job of generating long pursuit to pressure the quarterback … Knows what his field responsibilities are and plays with a relentless motor … Very active working his way down the line and knows how to get "skinny" to slip through tight creases … Compensates for a lack of bulk with great use of his hands to shed … Has the leg drive and strength to defeat tight end and fullback blocks and shows tremendous edge quickness to gain leverage coming from the outside … Quick to get into position to make the play once he locates the ball (inconsistent reading keys, though) … His overall strength levels are challenged by bigger offensive linemen, but he has the moves to elude and generate backside pressure (does not shed well) … Has good balance flowing down the line and uses his hands well to slap away low blocks … Does a good job of folding inside and taking away the cutback lanes … Stays low in his pads taking on the lead blocker in attempts to plug the gap … Consistently uses counter and spin moves to the inside … His powerful hand punch and arm extension allows him to guard against the chop block while continuing his quick flow to the ball … Has the balance and body control to move down the line and the burst to accelerate to the edge … Does not try to shy away from blockers, even when he gives up ground … Showed in 2007 a much improved ability to anticipate the snap count and jump the play … Plays well in space and has the ability to break down, taking good angles to the ball (rare to see him get caught up in trash, keeping leverage on the ball) … Uses his hands properly to sift through the traffic en route to locating the ballcarrier … Shows good playing strength when taking on the tight ends, especially in press coverage and has the ability to control, adjust and react quickly off the block … Stays at a very low pad level to avoid chop blocks … Adequate wrap-up tackler who can be a big hitter when he keeps his pads down and does not leave his forearms on his body … Shows good explosion and pop on contact and does a nice job of snuggling up to running backs coming out of the backfield … Looks athletic in his pass drops, but needs to get a better concept for putting himself in position in relation to the receivers … Can be sudden with his pass rush moves, as he can attack the gap, uncoil and wrap up the quarterback.

Negatives: Even though he has good power, he generally gives up considerable bulk to the blockers and his lack of size for a defensive end will see him shift to linebacker at the pro level … His size issues prevent him from attempting to split doubles teams, and he has to use his leg drive better when attempting to split blocks … Must be free to make plays when working in-line and must improve his hand placement (doesn't shed well) … Has the functional strength to impact and bring down ballcarriers, but not enough to push linemen back on their heels when trying to bull rush … Seems to play better when operating in space than when over a tight end … Despite his impressive timed speed, he is a bit sluggish in his pass drops (does get good depth) and needs to show better plant-and-drive agility coming out of his breaks … Slow to react to the pass, as if he has tunnel vision when playing in the zone … Does not show natural hands to make the interception (traps the ball) … Showed better explosion as a pass rusher with his hand on the ground than in the classic linebacker stance … Gets too aggressive when rising for the hit, causing him to slide off and miss a few tackles … Because of his adequate bulk, offensive linemen can lock on to him like a vice grip, especially when he leaves his chest unprotected (struggles to shed when his pad level gets too tall) … Bites on play-action and misdirection and needs to do a better job of reading his keys before attacking the ball … Has loose hips, but must refine his backpedal and generate more burst when changing direction.

Compares To: PISA TINOISAMOA-St. Louis … Howard is a raw product as a linebacker, but shows great acceleration in his backside pursuit. He has an array of pass rush moves and the suddenness out of his stance to simply fly past a lethargic bigger blocker. He shows an explosive closing burst ,and even when he takes a wide loop he will generally pressure the pocket. Until he gets comfortable playing in a stand-up position, he will provide decent value as an edge rusher, but more playing time will come if/when he picks up the techniques for playing linebacker.

No injuries reported.

Campus: 4.43 in the 40-yard dash … 365-pound bench press … 530-pound squat … 325-pound power clean … 33-inch vertical jump.

Combine: 4.45 in the 40-yard dash … Bench pressed 225 pounds 27 times … 34.5-inch vertical jump.

Attended Hanahan (Huger, S.C.) High School, playing football for head coach Jeff Cruce … Three-time All-Region and two-time Class AA All-State selection as a running back and linebacker … Named Class AA All-State by the Associated Press and the South Carolina Pigskin Prep, adding Class AA Defensive Player of the Year honors as a senior … Chosen the South Defensive MVP in the North-South All-Star game and earned Region 6-AA Player of the Year honors … BorderWars.com rated him the seventh-best player in the state of South Carolina … Selected the Post and Courier (Charleston) Most Valuable Defensive Back, All-Low Country and Palmetto Touchdown Club Defensive Back of the Year … Posted 89 tackles, nine stops for losses, three interceptions and returned a fumble for a touchdown as a senior … Also gained 952 yards rushing with 17 touchdowns that year … Member of the basketball and track squads … Placed third in the 100- and 200-meter dashes at the 2002 AA State meet … At the Region 6-AA championships, he went on to win both events.

Housing major, with a minor in Sports Studies … Born 10/10/85 … Resides in Huger, South Carolina.