Dayton Howard Plays with Chip on Shoulder

Iowa True Freshman Receiver Preparing to Prove Himself

Iowa WR Dayton Howard. (HawkeyeSports.com)

The chip on Dayton Howard's shoulder didn't disappear after signing with Iowa Football in December. That the Hawkeyes were the only ones to offer a scholarship made it bigger. 

He'll come to Iowa City in less than two weeks, ready to prove the doubters wrong. He's preparing to do so. 

Howard (6-5, 192) has been waking up at 5:30 a.m. for full-body workouts. In the afternoons, he heads to the football field for agility drills or takes himself through a jumping routine in his garage. Skeptics inspire him. 

"I've been the underdog for the longest time," he told HN. "I had one offer. So, I'm really trying to prove something and really get my name out there by just grinding." 

Iowa offered its scholarship on Nov. 12. He committed 12 days later and signed a national letter of intent in December. 

The Hawkeyes noticed him at Kansas City (MO) Park Hill this past season following his transfer from Savannah (MO) High. Howard credited prep coach Andy Sims with helping kick off college relationships. 

"He really got me started and introduced me to a lot of coaches last summer. That led me to get camp invites. I started texting coaches throughout the season. I took a game-day visit to Iowa, and that led to the offer," he said. 

Howard totaled 760 yards and 13 touchdowns receiving in 2022. He caught 20 scores overall during his high school career. 

Iowa receiver coach Kelton Copeland began texting Howard during the season. The assistant invited him to the Hawkeyes game against Wisconsin on Nov. 12. He attended and started feeling good about his chances at receiving an offer when they conducted a photo shoot.

"I was like, that's a good sign, but didn't want to get my hopes up. When I first walked in the door, I meet Dallas Clark. I'm pretty sure they had that all planned out. Then they took me and another recruit to a separate room. It was at that point, I knew I was going to get offered," he said. 

The Hawkeyes' struggles with production at receiver is well documented. Howard hears them. He wants to help. 

"Knowing that I have a chance to play (as a freshman), that's all I need for motivation. He said. "If I have that chance, I'm going all out and going after it." 

Howard plans on rooming with fellow freshman receiver Alex Mota from Marion (IA) High. 

"He's a really good guy," Howard said. 

Michigan transfer quarterback Cade McNamara will be throwing to them. 

"Hopefully I can catch passes from him my freshman season," Howard said. 

Howard acknowledges the potential for him growing into a tight end. He said if that happens, it happens, and he's good with it. But he believes receiver is his destiny. 

"I feel like I'm a true receiver. I have good route knowledge, and I'm faster than other 6-5 receivers. I feel really good gliding through my routes," he said. 

Kansas clocked him running a 4.58-second, 40-yard dash at its camp last summer. 

"I'm going to get that lower during the summer when I'm training," he said. 

Howard is focused on improving his footwork right now. He feels good about his release and routes, but continues sharpening those areas as well. 

"My agility in the open field when I get the ball, being able to make a move and get away from defenders not just during the route, I just want to have good movement while the ball is in my hand," he said. 

While he's raring to go, Howard is thinking about leaving friends and family, so he's spending as many moments as possible with them now. He'll miss them and his favorite food. 

"I mean, it's got to be barbecue," the Kansas City native said. "What they say is true here. The barbecue is really good." 

Hawkeye fans are hoping Howard gets cooking early in his Iowa career.