2020 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Maxwell Howell, CB, Portland State University
Student-Athlete Profile:
- Maxwell Howell
- Portland State University
- CB
- 6’2”
- 195 LBS.
- Hometown: West Palm Beach, FL
- Twitter: @lockdown_savy
What have you taken away the most from Coach Barnum, Coach Saadat and the rest of the Portland State coaching staff?
A number of factors are important to a player’s growth such as attention to detail, discipline, consistency, and building positive relationships.
When football is over, what do you aspire to do in the professional world?
I attend to pursue a career in cybersecurity.
You were a part of the Ohio University football program for two years (2015-2016). What was the transfer process like for you? What made Portland State the right place to continue your education and Collegiate football career?
The transfer process was a little easier being able to have options to choose from. What made Portland State the right place to continue my education and collegiate football career was because it produced a lot of good players to go to the NFL. Also the school portion it allowed me to continue my education at a prestigious school.
What separates you from other players at the cornerback position?
What separates me from other players playing my position is that most of them lack my combination of height, size, and speed. My versatility to play man and zone. My skill set allows me to be able to flourish in man coverage while still being able to transition to zone coverage as needed. Despite my size and length, I am able to fluidly flip my hips and transition smoothly out my breaks.
Who is the toughest player you’ve competed against during your collegiate career?
I have competed against various quality players but my personal belief is that constantly challenge myself to improve daily.
If your life was a book, what would the title be?
“Perseverance.”
Give me your Mount Rushmore of all-time corners, past and present. What made you choose these four players?
Deion Sanders, Patrick Peterson, Charles Woodson, Darrell Green. What made me choose these four is their ability to shut down one side of the field.
Is there a current or former NFL player you emulate your game after?
I take the best attributes from each of their games and make it apart of my own.
Let’s take a trip back to the first day of your freshman year at Palm Beach Lakes High School. What advice would you give yourself then, knowing what you know now?
The advice I would have given myself from my freshman year of high school is that with consistency comes growth.
If I’m in Hillsboro on a Saturday night during the Fall, where is the one place I have to eat?
Home.
You’re in front of all 32 NFL General Managers and have 15 words or less to give them your pitch on why Maxwell Howell will be an asset to their organization for years to come. What do you tell them?
Embody the team’s culture and my willingness to sacrifice for the betterment of the organization.
