Nate Howard has all the makings of a prototypical Missouri defensive end. At 6-foot-5, he's got the size of Aldon Smith. Coming out of high school, he was a three-star recruit at weakside defensive end, like Shane Ray. He even has the long, free-flowing dreadlocks that hang below his helmet, like Markus Golden.
Not to say these characteristics garnered him any special attention early on, but the junior from St. Louis received playing time as a true freshman in 2015. He showed flashes of being more than a capable player as a reserve behind starters Charles Harris and Walter Brady on a defense that was ranked in the top ten nationally.
Naturally, many expected to take a step forward in year two, especially after Brady was dismissed from the team in August. But there was one thing holding him back.
"He had to figure out if he wanted to be here or not, really," Barry Odom said.
That was a telling statement provided by Odom following Tuesday's spring practice, but it was only part of the statement. Howard missed most of last year's spring football practice after partially tearing his left LCL, and was shut down after surgery. It's possible that other players passed him on the depth chart during his period of recovery.
It's also possible he was never truly able to make an impression on the defensive coaching staff when he returned to the field for fall camp in August. Whatever the case, Howard acknowledged the fact that his sophomore season didn't go the way he'd hoped.
"I had a lot of struggles and obstacles I had to overcome," Howard said. "Like, my injury and stuff like that. That's all it was. I never lost the desire to play."
It's possible, however, that Howard lost his desire to play in a system that didn't highlight his skill set. When Howard was able to contribute as a freshman in 2015, Missouri's pass rushing approach was aggressive and free. It was a system that allowed its players to let loose and get after the quarterback. This was something Howard thrived on and hoped he'd be able to do more of. But when Craig Kuligowski — his position coach and one of his main recruiters coming out high school — was not retained by Odom, he left for Miami and the approach up front went with him. Stop us if you've heard this before: Howard, like many Missouri defensive linemen last season, struggled to adjust to a read-and-react scheme under Kuligowski's replacement, Jackie Shipp.
"There was definitely some frustration from the defense changing and frustration from me going from a true freshman, second row, to not even playing in games," Howard admitted. "Once I kind of got that out of my mind and focused on coming back, that's what I did."
Howard played his first game of the season on Oct. 29 against Vanderbilt. From that point on, he saw his role continue to increase, as Missouri slowly reverted back to its 2015 ways of attacking the quarterback. His most prominent role came in third and long situations.
Missouri experimented with some new pass rushing packages, looking to capitalize on its speed at defensive end. One package, specifically nicknamed "Cheetah," included Howard and Jordan Harold — two ends by trade — playing defensive tackle, while Marcell Frazier and Charles Harris maintained their roles on the outside. In a small sample size, the package was effective. But long-term, at least for Howard, the few plays on the field were a turning point in a trying season.
"It was pretty important because it gave me some hope," Howard said. "It helped me a lot. It helped my confidence just getting back out there for a little bit."
Howard seems to have carried that motivation over to spring practice in 2017. He said he feels like his knee is close to full strength, and progresses with each practice. He said he feels stronger mentally, and more bought in now than he was a year ago. Now on his third defensive line coach, Howard said he appreciates Brick Haley's attitude and attention to detail and feels more comfortable. His head coach likes the strides he's made in camp so far.
"I think he can be a tremendous player," Odom said. "He's doing a really good job in the classroom and I'm proud of where he's come."
Howard's been working with the first-team defense in scrimmages, and his newfound confidence is never lacking. Although he acknowledged the decision is ultimately up to Odom, Howard said with the way he's been practicing and with the work he's been putting in, there's no doubt in his mind he should be the starting defensive end opposite of Frazier in week one.
It's personal for him.
"There's a lot of things motivating me right now," Howard said. "The biggest (thing) is myself. My self-pride, proving to myself that this is what I'm cut out for. This is what I'm all about."
