A.J. Howard

A.J. Howard
USC Trojans
TitleOutside linebackers coach
Personal information
Born (1995-12-23) December 23, 1995 (age 30)
Hamilton, Georgia, U.S.
Listed height
5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Listed weight
203 lb (92 kg)
Career information
PositionDefensive back (No. 39)
High schoolHarris County (Hamilton)
CollegeAppalachian State (2014–2017)
NFL draft2018: undrafted
Career history
Playing
* Offseason or practice squad member only
Coaching
  • Louisville (2020)
    Graduate assistant
  • Appalachian State (2023–2024)
    Outside linebackers coach
  • USC (2025)
    Assistant linebackers coach
  • USC (2026–present)
    Outside linebackers coach
Operations
Awards and highlights
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Alvin "A.J." Donell Howard (born December 23, 1995) is an American professional football coach and former player who is the outside linebackers coach for the USC Trojans. He had stints in the National Football League (NFL) for the seven teams at defensive back. He played college football for the Appalachian State Mountaineers.

Early life

Howard was born on December 23, 1995, in Hamilton, Georgia. He attended Harris County High School in Hamilton.

College career

Howard played for the Appalachian State Mountaineers from 2014 to 2017. In four seasons, he played in 51 games at strong safety, recording 219 tackles, including 12 for loss, 0.5 sack, four interceptions, with returned for a touchdown, 14 pass break ups and two forced fumbles. As a senior, he earned third-team All-Sun Belt honors.

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand spanWingspan40-yard dash10-yard split20-yard split20-yard shuttleThree-cone drillVertical jumpBroad jumpBench press
5 ft 10 in
(1.78 m)		203 lb
(92 kg)		30+1⁄8 in
(0.77 m)		9+1⁄8 in
(0.23 m)		5 ft 11+5⁄8 in
(1.82 m)		4.51 s1.57 s2.58 s4.18 s7.06 s32+1⁄2 in
(0.83 m)		9 ft 7 in
(2.92 m)		24 reps
All values from Pro day

Arizona Cardinals

After going undrafted in the 2018 NFL draft, Howard signed with the Arizona Cardinals as an undrafted free agent. On September 2, 2018 he was waived by the team.

New York Giants

On October 25, 2018, the New York Giants signed Howard to the practice squad. He was released on January 2, 2019.

New England Patriots

On January 8, 2019, Howard was signed by the New England Patriots. He remained on the practice squad for the rest of the season as the team won Super Bowl LIII. Howard signed a reserve/future contract with the Patriots on February 5, 2019. On August 30, he was released by the team.

Baltimore Ravens

On October 8, 2019, Howard was signed by the Baltimore Ravens. He was released on October 15.

Philadelphia Eagles

On November 12, 2019, the Philadelphia Eagles signed Howard to the practice squad but he was released the following day.

Cleveland Browns

On November 21, 2019, Howard signed with the Cleveland Browns. On December 3, he was released by the team.

Detroit Lions

On December 24, 2019, Howard was signed by the Detroit Lions. He signed a reserve/future contract on December 31. On March 17, 2020, Howard was released by the Lions.

Coaching career

Howard began his coaching career for the Louisville Cardinals in 2020 as a graduate assistant. In 2023, he returned to his alma mater, Appalachian State and served as the outside linebackers coach for two years. In 2025, Howard became the assistant linebackers coach for the USC Trojans. The following year, he was promoted to the be outside linebackers coach.

Operations career

In 2021, Howard joined the New England Patriots as an area scout. He spent two seasons in that position before leaving in 2023.

References

  1. ↑ "A.J. Howard Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved September 15, 2026.
  2. 1 2 "A.J. Howard - Football". App State Athletics. Retrieved September 15, 2026.
  3. ↑ "A.J. Howard College Stats, School, Draft, Gamelog, Splits". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved September 15, 2026.
  4. ↑ "Sun Belt announces 2017 Football All-Conference teams and Individual Awards". SunBeltSports.org. Sun Belt Conference. December 6, 2017. Archived from the original on December 20, 2017. Retrieved October 18, 2026.
  5. ↑ "A.J. Howard College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved September 15, 2026.
  6. ↑ Urban, Darren (July 18, 2018). "Like Steve Wilks, A.J. Howard An App State Man". Arizona Cardinals. Archived from the original on May 24, 2026. Retrieved September 15, 2026.
  7. ↑ Odegard, Kyle (September 3, 2018). "Celebration Time For Undrafted Rookies Who Made Cardinals' Roster". Arizona Cardinals. Archived from the original on June 13, 2026. Retrieved September 15, 2026.
  8. ↑ "Transactions". The Duluth News-Tribune. October 26, 2018. p. 10. Retrieved September 15, 2026.
  9. ↑ "Patriots Make A Series of Roster Transactions". Patriots.com. Archived from the original on May 22, 2026. Retrieved September 15, 2026.
  10. ↑ Raanan, Jordan (January 28, 2019). "From 5-11 to a Super Bowl: Ex-Giants rookie likes the ring of that". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on October 8, 2021. Retrieved September 15, 2026.
  11. ↑ "Former App State safety A.J. Howard recalls Super Bowl experience". Watauga Democrat. February 8, 2019. Archived from the original on September 15, 2026. Retrieved September 15, 2026.
  12. ↑ Kyed, Doug (February 5, 2019). "Patriots Sign Eight Of 10 Practice Squad Players To Future Contracts". NESN.com. Archived from the original on February 6, 2019. Retrieved September 15, 2026.
  13. ↑ Thomas, Oliver (August 30, 2019). "Wideout Ryan Davis, safety A.J. Howard among Patriots' reported roster cuts". Pats Pulpit. Archived from the original on August 30, 2019. Retrieved September 15, 2026.
  14. ↑ Stevens, Matthew (October 8, 2019). "Ravens sign DL Jihad Ward to 53-man roster, S A.J. Howard to practice squad". Ravens Wire. USA Today. Archived from the original on September 15, 2026. Retrieved September 15, 2026.
  15. ↑ Oyefusi, Daniel (October 16, 2019). "Ravens sign DB Rice to practice squad". The Baltimore Sun. pp. D3. Retrieved September 15, 2026.
  16. ↑ "Transactions". West Central Tribune. November 13, 2019. p. 11. Retrieved September 15, 2026.
  17. ↑ "Transactions". The Duluth News-Tribune. November 14, 2019. p. 12. Retrieved September 15, 2026.
  18. ↑ "Transactions". Red Deer Advocate. November 21, 2019. pp. A23. Retrieved September 15, 2026.
  19. ↑ "Transactions". The Star-Ledger. December 4, 2019. pp. B6. Retrieved September 15, 2026.
  20. ↑ Schlitt, Erik (December 24, 2019). "Lions sign Safety A.J. Howard to practice squad". Lions Wire. USA Today. Archived from the original on September 15, 2026. Retrieved September 15, 2026.
  21. ↑ "Lions report 11 Reserve/Future signings". Detroit Lions. December 30, 2019. Archived from the original on January 2, 2020. Retrieved September 15, 2026.
  22. ↑ "LIONS RELEASE S AJ HOWARD AND QB KYLE SLOTER". South Florida Tribune. March 18, 2020. Archived from the original on September 15, 2026. Retrieved September 15, 2026.
  23. ↑ "AJ Howard - Football Coach". App State Athletics. Retrieved October 31, 2026.
  24. ↑ "USC Trojans, Lincoln Riley Hire A.J. Howard to Defensive Coaching Staff". USC Trojans On SI. February 8, 2025. Archived from the original on September 16, 2026. Retrieved October 31, 2026.
  25. ↑ Bradford, Adam (February 14, 2026). "USC promotes assistant AJ Howard to outside linebackers coach". Trojans Wire. USA Today. Archived from the original on February 15, 2026. Retrieved October 31, 2026.
  26. ↑ Thomas, Oliver (August 4, 2021). "Former Patriots safety A.J. Howard back with organization as college scout". Pats Pulpit. Retrieved October 31, 2026.
  27. ↑ Daniels, Mark (March 2, 2023). "Patriots adding veteran exec to their scouting department (report)". Masslive. Archived from the original on March 4, 2025. Retrieved October 31, 2026.