Tennessee Football: Vols WR Pig Howard Dismissed

Tennessee football Head Coach Butch Jones announced at his presser on Wednesday that wide receiver Alton “Pig” Howard has been dismissed from the Volunteers.


Howard was the leading receiver coming into the year for the Vols, but has missed a lot of time this year with various injuries. Howard was said to have missed the Arkansas game because he did not pass a concussion test.

However, he was dismissed on a violation of team rules, reasons unrelated to the injury.

The news was put up on the official UT Sports Tennessee Football twitter page.

Howard had only appeared in two games for the Vols all season anyway and had only one catch for eight yards.

More from Tennessee Volunteers

Although no exact reason was given for his dismissal, a report earlier this year had noted that Howard had been suspended for the first game of the year due to a positive drug test, which was the same reason Danny O’Brien missed some time.

Howard had developed a lot through his first three years at Tennessee, becoming a very valuable and reliable asset for the Vols, and last year he was the leading receiver as a slot guy.

So losing him is awful and it is terrible that he did not get to showcase his full development for a senior season.

But now the Vols have to move forward.

Josh Smith is likely the new target to step up at wide receiver, and he appears to have come on strong over the past few weeks anyway.

Now, he needs to develop faster.

Meanwhile, the most important thing for the receivers is for the big targets to finally step up and make the plays they were expected to make, and some of that comes with better coaching. Given the talent at the position, Howard’s dismissal is no excuse for any drop-off on the offense, or at this point, for the offense not to improve upon what it has been doing.

Next: Tennessee vs. Georgia: Five Vols to Watch for vs. Dawgs

More from All for Tennessee