Alabama tight end O.J. Howard knew coach Nick Saban would be thrilled with his decision to return for his senior season.
Howard also knew Saban has emotional limitations.
"He didn't give me a hug," a smiling Howard said Wednesday in a news conference, "but he said he was excited."
The 6-foot-6, 242-pounder from Prattville, Ala., announced his return several days after running away with MVP honors in the championship game of college football's four-team playoff. Howard had five catches for 208 yards and two touchdowns in the 45-40 win over Clemson, and he had been pegged by most NFL draft analysts as a surefire second-round selection.
Instead of preparing for next month's draft, Howard instead is three practices into his fourth spring in Tuscaloosa, having enrolled early in 2013.
"It was kind of a decision where I thought I have so much left on the table in college," he said. "I can mature on and off the field. It really wasn't a hard decision at the end of the day."
Howard was sensational against Clemson, but that capped an otherwise mediocre junior season from a statistical standpoint. With offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin repeatedly feeding tailback Derrick Henry to the tune of a Southeastern Conference-record 2,219 rushing yards, the passing game became secondary for most of the season.
When an aerial assault was needed, freshman receiver Calvin Ridley was the favorite target.
Before his performance in the championship game, Howard had tallied 33 receptions for 394 yards without a score. He did not reach the end zone during the 2013 season, either, but Saban said after the Clemson game that it had been a mistake last year not using Howard more prominently.
Saban has continued that line of reasoning this spring.
"I think O.J. is an outstanding player, and I think there are things that he knows that he can improve on as a player," Saban said. "I think there are things we can improve on to utilize him better on a more consistent basis, which we certainly plan on doing. He's been very productive in the practices that we've had, and I think it's going to work out great for him and great for us that he made the decision that he made.
"We're excited about it, and we're looking forward to him being someone who is very productive for us this year."
Although Howard is back, much around him has changed.
Henry bypassed his senior season after winning the Heisman Trophy, and quarterback Jake Coker is trying to make a home in the NFL as well. Even Howard's direct superior has changed, with Mario Cristobal having replaced Bobby Williams overseeing tight ends.
"Everyone looks good as far as the quarterbacks," Howard said. "I'm just out there running around and trying to get those guys to gain confidence in me. At the end of the day, we'll all get things together.
"The receiver and tight end corps have a lot of guys who have played before, and I think that will be good for the quarterback position."
Howard is moving on from his Clemson performance - "I had a great game," but I've put that behind me," he said - and now it's on to justifying his decision to return. He is assuming more of a leadership role, and there is always room to improve his blocking and route-running.
His goal for his final go-around is rather succinct.
"I want to dominate," he said.
A-Day on ESPN
Alabama's A-Day spring game on April 16 will start at 3 p.m. EDT, and it will be televised by ESPN.
Every SEC school playing a spring game - Ole Miss is not holding one due to construction at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium - will have it televised. Georgia and Tennessee also have spring games on April 16, with the SEC Network televising Tennessee at 2 and ESPNU televising Georgia at 4.
Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6524.