Phillip Howard

Position:
DB
Ht./Wt.:
5-11 / 195
Hometown:
Minneapolis, Minn.
High School:
Robbinsdale Cooper
Letters:
4
Class:
Redshirt Senior

PRONUNCIATION

HONORS:
Academic All-Big Ten (2021, 2020, 2019, 2017)

2021: Played in all 13 games, seeing action on defense and special teams • made 14 tackles • had one interception and broke up one pass. Game-by-Game: Made one tackle against Ohio State • recorded two tackles against Miami (OH) • registered one tackle at Colorado • competed against Bowling Green • notched two tackles at Purdue • made one tackle against Maryland • totaled two tackles at Northwestern • recorded one tackle against Illinois • saw action at Iowa • grabbed one interception and made two tackles at Indiana • competed against Wisconsin and carried Paul Bunyan's Axe into Minnesota's locker room after the Gopher victory • made two tackles against West Virginia in the Guaranteed Rate Bowl.

2020 • SENIOR SEASON: Played in six games • made 11 tackles and broke up one pass • returned four punts. Game-by-Game: Played on defense and special teams at Maryland • returned one punt for eight yards at Illinois • made three tackles in a start against Iowa and broke up one pass • made a team-high eight solo tackles against Purdue • competed at Nebraska on defense and returned two punts • saw action at Wisconsin and fielded one punt.

2019 • JUNIOR SEASON: Played in 11 games • recorded five tackles, one interception and forced one fumble. Game-by-Game: Saw action against Georgia Southern • helped pin Purdue at their own two-yard on punt coverage against Purdue • recorded two tackles against Illinois • forced first career fumble and made one tackle against Nebraska • registered first career interception and made one tackle for loss against Rutgers • notched tackle against Maryland • competed against Penn State, Iowa, Northwestern, Wisconsin and Auburn.

2018 • SOPHOMORE SEASON: Competed in nine games and • caught two passes for five yards against Fresno State • move from receiver to defensive back late in the season.

2017 • FRESHMAN SEASON: Started seven of the 11 games he played in • caught 11 passes for 132 yards. Game-by-Game: Made his Minnesota and collegiate debut against Buffalo where he caught one pass for eight yards • competed at Oregon State • made one catch for eight yards against Middle Tennessee • made his first career start against Maryland and caught four passes for 46 yards • started at Purdue, but left the game early in the first quarter with an injury • missed the Michigan State game with an injury • rushed one time for four yards against Illinois • competed at Iowa • caught two passes for 41 yards at Michigan • three catches against Nebraska went for 29 yards • started at Northwestern and against Wisconsin.

2016: Redshirted.

HIGH SCHOOL: Attended Robbinsdale Cooper High School • played in nine games at quarterback, defensive back and return specialist and led the Hawks to a 6-3 record • completed 45 passes for 802 yards and 11 touchdowns • rushed 66 times for 426 yards and six scores, while adding a catch for 43 yards • guided an offense that racked up 345 points (38.3 points per game) on the year • tallied six tackles on defense • named Associated Press Second Team All-State as an all-purpose contributor • made the transition from receiver to quarterback before junior season • coached by former Minnesota Vikings player Willie Howard • also lettered in baseball, basketball and track • Ranked as a three-star prospect by Rivals, Scout, ESPN and 247Sports • ESPN ranked him as the No. 4 prospect in the state, while Rivals had him at No. 5 and 247Sports listed him at No. 8 in Minnesota • ESPN ranked him as the No. 1 athlete in Minnesota and No. 55 overall at his position, while Rivals had him at No. 3 in the state and the No. 56 athlete in the nation • 247Sports tabbed him as the No. 4 athlete in Minnesota and No. 60 athlete in the country • Scout had him as the No. 1 wide receiver in the state, No. 8 pass catcher in the Midwest and No. 66 overall at his position.

PERSONAL: Son of Phillip Howard and Latonya Criss • has one brother (Cortez) and two sisters (Arianna and Jasmine).