Terrance Howard, a former Nick Saban defensive back at Alabama, is leaving the Crimson Tide to play in the HBCU ranks. The excellent defensive stalworth will join the North Carolina Central Eagles, according to Steven J. Gaither of HBCU Gameday. Howard committed to Alabama in 2023 but did not play during Nick Saban’s final season as head coach.
Howard revealed his move a few weeks ago. He wrote a letter on social media, saying,
“First and foremost, I want to thank God for guiding me through life’s path and for allowing me to participate in my favorite sport.
Next, I’d like to thank the coaches and staff for pushing me to be better while also helping me become a better guy along the way. It has been a true blessing to learn from you all.
I’d also like to thank all of my teammates/brothers; the particular ties we formed over these few periods were genuinely fantastic.
Last but not least, thank you, Bama Nation, for the crazy times you always provided. Following careful deliberation, I will enter the transfer portal with four years of eligibility.
Howard succeeded in high school in Texas, receiving an All-District nomination in 2021 for his great performance as a cornerback at Ridge Point High School. He recorded 41 tackles, two sacks, one interception, and eight pass breakups. He also excelled on the track, winning the district 20-6A 400m Championship and Regional Qualifier with a personal best time of 48.75. When he transferred to Jireh Prep near Charlotte in 2022, he excelled on both offense and defense, earning nominations for Offensive Player of the Year and Post Grad All-Star selection.
Upon entering the transfer portal, he garnered strong interest from HBCUs in the SWAC and MEAC, including Texas Southern and Southern University. He eventually decided to attend North Carolina Central, a club that won the Celebration Bowl one year ago and qualified for the FCS Playoffs last season. Howard is looking to replace major defensive contributors such as Khalil Baker, the 2022 MEAC Defensive Player of the Year and winner of the inaugural Aeneas Williams Award, and Brandon Codrington, who just signed as an undrafted free agent with the New York Jets.
Howard is the latest Alabama player to move to a historically black college or university. Reed Harradine, an ex-Alabama placekicker, joined Grambling in April via the transfer site. Although Harradine did not play for the Crimson Tide this season, he is currently facing a lawsuit stemming from a hit-and-run incident in Tuscaloosa last October that involved a collision with Timothy Moore’s car.
Attorneys for the Harradine family issued a statement opposing the action.
“Mr. Moore’s attorneys are attempting to discredit our son in order to promote their legal company. It is disgusting that Mr. Moore’s lawyers would try the case in front of the media. It is unusual, if not unprecedented, for a law firm to conduct a press conference about a traffic accident.
They continued, “We disagree with accusations that Mr. Moore was gravely hurt in the collision. The statement added, “We all look forward to presenting a vigorous defense in court.”
