Player Bio: Loren Howard

ASU: Local product who transferred from Northwestern University in August, 2005...if healthy, has the potential to be a dominant force...was named to the preseason watch lists for the Chuck Bednarik and Bronko Nagurski Awards, both presented annually to the nation's top defensive player...was named a preseason second-team All-Pac-10 honoree by Lindy's and Phil Steele...honored as the preseason choice for Pac-10 Newcomer of the Year by Lindy's...rated as the 13th-best defensive end in the nation by Phil Steele...regarded by ESPN.com as the 11th-best defensive end that will be eligible for the 2007 NFL Draft...during his career at Northwestern, was one of the most feared defensive ends in the nation, posting three-year totals of 171 tackles, 34.0 tackles for loss and 11 sacks in 31 games while playing for the Wildcats...started the first 25 games of his career...as a true freshman in 2002, recorded 81 total tackles, including 13.5 tackles for loss, en route to earning first-team Freshman All-America and Big Ten Conference Freshman Defensive Player of the Year honors...was a high school teammate of fellow Sun Devil defensive end Kyle Caldwell.

2005: Sat out the entire season as a redshirt after transferring to ASU from Northwestern University in August.

2004: Injured his left ankle five days before the season started and underwent surgery (Sept. 3) to repair a tendon issue...suffered the same injury that MLB pitcher Curt Schilling did, only to both ankles at different times...missed the first six games of the year due to injury...returned to practice during the Wildcats' open week and played in a reserve role vs. Wisconsin...finished with a solo tackle against the Badgers...played a bigger role in NU's win over Purdue, notching four tackles with 1.5 TFLs...notched his first sack of the year...also had two quarterback hurries vs. the Boilermakers...totaled four tackles, including a TFL, at Penn State...had his best performance of the year vs. Illinois with eight tackles (six solo), two sacks and a hurry.

2003: Earned honorable-mention All-Big Ten honors...was the recipient of NU's Wildcat Warrior Award...started all 13 games... paced NU in TFLs (16) and sacks (8)...finished sixth in Big Ten in tackles for loss...earned his first Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week honor for his performance vs. Penn State: eight tackles (four TFLs and two sacks) as well as a forced fumble...led all defensive linemen with 65 tackles... had one of his most impressive outings of his young career vs. Wisconsin: five tackles (three TFL) and three hurries...had a season-best 10 tackles (four solos), one TFL and 0.5 sacks vs. Minnesota...notched four tackles (one TFL and one sack), a forced fumble and a fumble recovery in season-opening win at Kansas...totaled three tackles (including a TFL) and a blocked PAT kick vs. Air Force...blocked his second kick (a field goal attempt) of the year vs. Miami...also had five tackles and a pass deflection against the RedHawks...registered six tackles, 1.5 sacks, a pass breakup and one hurry vs. Duke...had five tackles (two solos), which included a TFL and two hurries at Ohio State...turned in seven tackles (three solo) vs. Indiana...had six tackles, including a sack, and a hurry at Purdue...totaled three tackles, including a sack vs. Bowling Green in the Motor City Bowl.

2002: True freshman who started every game at right defensive end...Earned first-team Freshman All-America honors from Scripps/FWAA, the Sporting News, Rivals.com and College Football News...was tabbed the Big Ten Defensive Freshman of the Year by the Sporting News...NGN Defensive Newcomer of the Year...ranked fourth nationally among all true freshmen with 81 tackles...led team in TFL with 13.5, which was seventh-best in the Big Ten...ranked second among NU defensive linemen in tackles (81)...recorded one of his top performances against Duke -- a season-high 14 tackles (10 solo, three TFL)...registered five tackles in his debut at Air Force...tallied nine tackles (six solo), which included a TFL, vs. TCU...also had two quarterback hurries...had six tackles and a fumble recovery at Navy ...turned in eight tackles (three solos) and a 1/2 sack vs. Ohio State...had seven tackles, including two TFL, at Minnesota...seven tackles (two solos) vs. Purdue...nine tackles (five solos), including two TFL, vs. Indiana...seven tackles, including three TFL, at Iowa.

HIGH SCHOOL: A 2002 graduate of Saguaro High School in Scottsdale, Ariz....was a high school teammate of ASU junior Kyle Caldwell...earned SuperPrep All-America honors...ranked seventh nationally among defensive linemen by PrepStar...received 42 Division I-A scholarship offers...member of Rivals100.com team...named to the Long Beach Press-Telegram's "Best in the West" first team...ranked as the number-two prospect in Arizona by SuperPrep and the 19th-best defensive lineman in the nation...won the Curley Cup Award as state's top interior defensive lineman...earned first-team all-state, all-region (offense and defense) and all-conference honors...registered 64 solo tackles, 36 assists, 10 sacks, 24 hurries, four forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and two blocked kicks...his team went 12-1 his senior year and reached semifinals of state playoffs for a second straight year...also lettered in basketball and track...member of school's Honor Roll...was coached by Stuart Goldstein.

PERSONAL: Plans to major in communication studies...parents are Phil Howard and Trude LaPrade...his brother, Phil, played defensive line for the Sun Devils from 2001-02...his uncle, Kurt Minko, was a two-year letterwinner and center at Northwestern (1988-89)...born Nov. 12, 1983...full name is Loren LaPrade Howard.

Loren Howard's Career Statistics (Northwestern University)

Loren Howard Class: Senior Hometown: Scottsdale, Ariz. High School: Saguaro Last College: Northwestern Height / Weight: 6-4 / 274 Position: Defensive End