This post is part of a little August series on the 20 Most Memorable Michigan players of the past twenty years – basically going back to 1990.  Don’t forget my friends, these are my memories…and beef if you must once we start getting down to the wire and you sense an oncoming omission.  Previously: (20) Chris Floyd, (19) Marquise Walker, (18) Mercury Hayes, (17) Derrick Alexander.

#8 Chris Howard

1994-1997
Position: Running Back
Hometown: Kenner, LA
Career Stats: 418 att., 1,876 yds, 4.5 yds/rush avg., 17 TDs
60 Rec, 429 yards, 3 TDs

I’ve said it before, Michigan’s backfield in 1997 is severely underrated as a unit.  You had Clarence Williams (link to video Williams’ best run as a Wolverine), Anthony Thomas, Chris Floyd and Mr. Howard.  Comparatively speaking, Howard falls behind great Michigan backs like Wheatley, Biakabutuka, and A-train.  Howard wasn’t spectacular, but he got the job done and seemed like a pretty cool dude doing it.

Howard wasn’t a fumbler, was a solid receiver out of the backfield, and always seemed to eek out five to ten yard runs with regularity.  See Michigan at Ohio State in 1996.  In that game, Howard along with the offensive line sealed the game by gashing Ohio State with quality run after quality run late in the 4th quarter.

First Play That Comes to Mind

Howard wasn’t that big of a highlight playmaker.  He was more of a grinder.  The first play that comes to mind when I think of Howard, was against Michigan State when the game was tight.  Michigan was down 7-3 with 5:26 left in the 2nd quarter.  From Michigan’s own 15 yard line, Howard broke free for 51 yards.  The kicker is at the end of the run.  MSU’s defender catches the not-so-fast Howard from behind and pops the ball loose and into mid-air.  Fortunately for Howard and Michigan, he manages to catch the ball and hang on to it as his body slams to the turf.  Roll the tape…

What a spectacular day Michigan had in East Lansing.  A big win against the in-state rival and memories from Charles Woodson that will live on for years to come.

Oh Yea.  Howard also dated Gabrielle Union for a while after or during his stint with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

On Deck?

Who is going to be #15?  This electrifying player had 10 games of over 200 all-purpose yards in his career at Michigan.  I promise – there are some defensive players coming!

Video credit goes to Wolverine Historian.

Related Posts:

• 20th MMM Player since ’90: #7 Chris Floyd
• 14th MMM Player Since ’90: #3 Tripp Welborne
• 15th MMM Player since ’90: #15 Steve Breaston
• 17th MMM Player since ’90: #1 Derrick Alexander
• 18th MMM Player since ’90: #9 Mercury Hayes