Jordan Howard Selected By The Bears In The Fifth Round

Jordan Howard ran for 1,213 yards last year for the Hoosiers. Image: Cam Koenig HoosierHuddle.com

Written By Sammy Jacobs (@Hoosier_Huddle)

For the second year in a row the Indiana Hoosiers have a running back taken in the NFL draft. This time it is Jordan Howard, who was drafted by the Chicago Bears with the 150th overall pick (5th Round). Howard spent one season at Indiana after transferring from UAB after their program folded.

The big bruising back ran for 1,213 yards with nine touchdowns at Indiana last season while being limited to just nine games in 2015 due to knee and ankle injuries. In his three year career at both UAB and IU he ran for 3,681 yards and 24 touchdowns.

At 5'10" and 216 pounds Howard has a great body for the NFL, but he will be trying to beat out fellow Big Ten running back Jeremy Langford, as well as former Arizona running back Ka'Deem Carey for playing time. Jacquizz Rodgers and Senorise Perry is also on the roster. Howard's style of running fits in well to the NFL as he possesses both the power and speed to become a solid back. Him and Langford should develop as a very good 1-2 punch and his style of running will translate to the frigid weather late in the season in Chicago. 

ESPN's Mel Kiper on Howard

"He was successful both places -- one year at Indiana. You talk about an aggressive, hard-nosed runner, he takes it right at a defense, north-south. This is Jordan Howard, The issue is going to be durability with that style. He needs a few more reps in the passing game, but I like the promise he's shown catching the football."

"Since 2013, he's No. 1 nationally among running backs with 12 150-plus -yard games. He's productive. Now, he did miss 18 quarters this year due to injury. If you can keep him on the field with that attacking style -- and I don't know if he can -- but obviously you want him to be probably your No. 2 back. If you can pick your spots with Jordan Howard, I think he can be a guy that's productive and solid and reliable. The only thing is I wish he would maybe alter that style a bit, maybe try to avoid (getting rundown.)"

Howard is the second Hoosier taken in the 2016 NFL draft after offensive lineman Jason Spriggs was taken in the second round (48th overall) by the Green Bay Packers.