Jarveon

Howard

Howard’s release comes with the designation of “failure to disclose condition,” which isn’t a common one. The 25-year-old could be a candidate for a practice squad, but it seems likely it won’t be with Buffalo.

Howard was the short-yardage back in his first two seasons with the Orange, punching in ten touchdowns in that time. He opted out of the 2020 season, but seems to have been buried on the depth chart in that span. The former three-star recruit is no longer with the team and will seek to finish his career elsewhere.

Neither Adams nor Howard were listed on the two-deep released by the team on Monday, and now we know the exact reason why. In total four Syracuse players have opted out, with LB Tyrell Richards and DL Cooper Dawson being the others. With Adams and Howard no longer in the team’s plans, Jawhar Jordan and Markenzy Pierre occupy the top two spots on the depth chart at running back.

The Orange are lacking a lot of experience in the backfield heading into the season opener, as Moe Neal graduated and both Howard (5'10/213) and Abdul Adams aren’t listed on the depth chart. According to Brent Axe of the Syracuse Post-Standard, neither Howard nor Adams have been practicing recently, so it’s likely that the two upperclassmen have opted out of playing this season. Jawhar Jordan and Markenzy Pierre are listed as the top two backs on the depth chart.

Howard (5'10/213) found the end zone relatively late in this one, hitting pay dirt from 28 yards out midway through the fourth quarter. The true sophomore averaged a cool 12.8 YPC with a long run of 37 yards in the blowout victory. Prior to Saturday’s big effort, Howard had not topped 35 yards rushing in a game this season.

Howard picks the Orange over offers from Mississippi, Mississippi State and Tennessee, among others. He ranks as the 35th best tailback by 247 Sports composite rankings. This is Syracuse’s best recruiting class in years, and Howard is another solid addition as HC Dino Babers tries to build the Orange into a consistent ACC contender.