MONTGOMERY, Ala.— Ja'Won Howell was the odd man out last season. The 6th-year graduate had to share a backfield with Jacory Merritt and Santo Dunn in a run-heavy Alabama State offense in 2022. It was a good idea in theory, but Howell ended up being lost in the shuffle between Merritt, Dunn, and quarterback Dematrius Davis.
However, it'll be a different story in 2023; Davis is still on the roster, but Merritt has transferred to New Mexico State, and Dunn has graduated. Now Howell not only has more opportunity, but he's also going into this season as the unquestioned starter for the Hornets.
"I think he's a guy that can touch it 20-25 times a game," head coach Eddie Robinson said after Saturday's scrimmage. "We have other backs in the backfield where I doubt it'll ever go that far, but it's good to have a guy who has that type of mentality.
"He's one of those guys I felt we should've gotten more touches last year. That was on the coaches. So we have to make up for that. He's super confident and works really hard, and I'm just excited to give him a chance to be the number one back."
Robinson had the same sentiment about Howell during SWAC Football Media Day in Birmingham, where the second-year head coach said he had to apologize to Howell for not getting him enough touches last year. But Alabama State's new RB1 appreciates the confidence of his head coach, and he's excited to take on his new role.
"Him putting that confidence in me gives me a different type of confidence going into every Saturday," Howell said during media day.
Fast forward to the scrimmage, and Howell proved why he's deserving of the starting job. He ran hard every time and was good for 3-5 yards a carry. He also was able to run through contact, an important factor considering Robinson wants to be a run-first team. Regardless of who's the quarterback, whether it's Davis or UAB transfer Damon Stewart, a run-heavy team allows opposing defenses to load the box and make it more difficult to succeed on the ground.
Even if that's the case, however, Howell appears to have the strength, physically and mentally, to carry such a burden. He'll be a name to watch when it comes to top running backs in the SWAC this season.
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