Recent standout Tayon Howard comes aboard the football coaching staff entering the fall of 2024 after a three-year playing career for the Cardinals. He will help oversee the safeties and contribute to other aspects of the unit.
Howard, a local product from Westerville, transferred to Otterbein in the fall of 2021 and laced up in 27 games after using an extra year of eligibility stemming from the COVID pandemic.
The hybrid outside linebacker, who could also line up at safety, tallied 144 tackles (10 for loss) and seven interceptions during his time with the defense. During his last campaign, he ranked second in the Ohio Athletic Conference for most interceptions and also finished ninth in tackles per game.
In 2023, Howard was picked as a team captain and also selected to wear the program’s heralded No. 5 uniform in honor of former/fallen Cardinal Josh Worthington. The honor is bestowed annually to a player that best represents all of the positive attributes needed in the program.
Howard, who also had college stops at Urbana and Findlay, was a star high school player at Westerville South. He earned his bachelor’s degree in sport management (business minor) from Otterbein, where he contributed to the International Sports Film Festival through his major.
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