2024 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Ja’Won Howell, RB, Alabama State University

• Name: Ja’Won Howell
• Position: RB
• College: Alabama State University
• Height: 6’1”
• Weight: 220 lbs
• X (Twitter): @jawon_howell
• Instagram: @jawonhowell

What made you decide you wanted to be a football player?

Just growing up, seeing my brother up close made me want to suit up and look up to him and just going outside and playing everyday made me love the game even more.

What are your favorite moments from your football life?

Winning the state championship in high school my senior year going 15-0 and the first person in my family to go to college and play division 1 football and scoring touchdowns especially the one in the Mississippi Valley State game my mom got to see before she passed away.

What are you looking to achieve as a football player going forward?

Getting to the next level and being a professional athlete has always been my goal and desire and proving everybody wrong that I can do it and excel at the next level.

If you could hang out with any football player past or present for a day who and why?

Bo Jackson or Marshawn Lynch, just to see there mentality for running the ball and see there process for how they got to the next level and how they maintained their dominance throughout their career.

Which one of your family members inspires you the most and why?

My mother, seeing her get up everyday and making it happen and ever since a young age has taught me my work ethic and she has inspired me everyday to get up and grind and get what you want and she taught me a lot of stuff

What is your favorite offensive scheme and why?

11 personnel, 3 wideouts and 1 tight end, being able to run a lot of football plays from that and counter is my favorite play with the ability to have the tight end kick out and block and the ability to pass as well.

What should we know about Ja’Won Howell the person?

Just going to give it his all, show up everyday, always being there for others and have a good laugh and uplift others and be a bright light in a room and I work really hard for what I want.

What stands out about your film the most?

My explosiveness and I’m a power back and can do it all and have good size and I have a very explosive first step and I can be a blocker and my film shows I have all the traits as a running back you need and it’s on YouTube.

How do you handle challenges both in life and on the football field?

I feel like I’ve been challenged my whole life and I just take them head on and embrace adversity and just always rise above the challenge and on the field just always fight through adversity and stay consistent and don’t let anything get you down so you can get the win and don’t ever give up in any challenge in life or football.

What would a team get in a player like you?

A hard worker and consistent player who gives everything he’s got, who’s played multiple positions and has returned punts and kicks and can play special teams and wherever you put me at I can make a play and I’m always looking to improve a perfect my craft.

What do you love the most about the game of football?

The excitement and adrenaline you get running out of the tunnel and being able to go out there and have fun and enjoy it and it’s a stress reliever and hearing the fans and crowd and feeding off of there excitement and playing for my brothers and falling in love with the process there really isn’t anything I don’t love about football.

Who is the most underrated player you’ve played with and why?

Kinda myself, just coming out of high school I wasn’t heavily recruited and I wasn’t ranked and I had other teammates that were ranked and I led the team in tackles and rush yards but I still ended up playing division 1 and I still feel like I still haven’t rushed for the potential I have. I got passed over by recruiters in high school and I always felt like I’ve been underrated.