O.J. Howard's decision was easy.
He could have attended the 2017 NFL Draft in Philadelphia to revel in the moment when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers elected him with the No. 19 pick on Thursday. He would have been comfortable with that.
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Howard, however, was more comfortable in the comforts of home, with family and friends. Howard shared that draft-day moment at his home near Prattville, Ala.
"You only get to take so many people with you to the draft so I thought it was best because I've had a lot of people involved in my life through the process so I wanted to share that moment with everybody," Howard told Sporting News. "It was best for me to stay back and have everybody here for a party."
Comfortable might be the way to describe Howard, a 6-6, 251-pound tight end who impressed at the NFL Combine with a 4.51 in the 40-yard yard dash. Howard averaged 15.1 yards per reception over four years with Alabama. He's most remembered for his play in the last two national championship games against Clemson.
Howard totaled five receptions for 208 yards and a pair of touchdowns in the Crimson Tide's 45-40 win on Jan. 11, 2016, and he finished with four catches for 106 yards and a score in the 35-31 loss on Jan. 9, 2017.
Now, he's the first tight end drafted and gives Tampa Bay quarterback Jameis Winston — another Alabama native — a giant target across the middle to work with in an offense that also features Mike Evans. This is a great landing sport for Howard, who expects to be able to showcase those pass-catching skills in 2017.
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"I think there will be more pass-catching in the NFL for sure. More movement," Howard said. "Getting the ball to me and letting me make some plays."
Howard shared his journey as part of a promotion with Hyundai before the NFL Draft. Howard finished his high school career at Autauga Academy in Prattville, and he said he graduated with a class of around 30.
Hyundai filmed Howard and fellow prospects Mike Williams and Haason Reddick as part of its "Rolling with the Rookies" promotion. Howard worked with cleat designer Marcus Rivero to design custom cleats and a vehicle for a Hyundai Santa Fe. It's quite an experience for Howard, who enjoyed that experience.
MORE: Howard's scouting report
"It was very small and I didn't think I would get recruiting from there," Howard said. "I stayed focused and had a chance to go to Alabama, of course, had a career there and now I'm getting to the NFL. It's just awesome, coming from the country, small school and to make it big. That's kind of my story."
Howard also is comfortable with his place among a loaded tight-end class that includes Evan Engram, Jake Butt, David Njoku and Jordan Leggett. Rather than shy away from the draft process, Howard said he enjoyed meeting new coaches, general managers and players.
That's the next chapter in Howard's story, which has been good so far. He's the small-town country star who made it at the biggest program in the FBS. He seems comfortable with the NFL stage, and he's taking a lesson learned along the way.
"Always be thankful and always making the most of the opportunity," Howard said.
