One of two Morris Trophy winners with multiple Super Bowl rings, Howard led the Cougars in sacks his junior and senior seasons and earned honorable mention All American honors in 1985.  He played in both the Blue Gray Game and the Japan Bowl and was taken in the second round of the 1986 draft by the New York Giants. He switched to nose tackle for his pro career and played on the Giants teams that won Super Bowls XXI and XXV.