By: Clark Johnson | WV Sports Chat
Morgantown, WV – It has been a decade since Skyler Howard suited up for the Old Gold & Blue. Fans across the Mountain State have had more than enough time to process and formulate their opinions about his career. Just where Howard stands in the grand scheme of things when it comes to WVU Football history is still a hot topic of debate. While many fans neglect to mention the Texas native when discussing the best quarterbacks to play for the Mountaineers, it’s high time that he is brought up in those conversations.
Coming to Morgantown from Riverside City College (JUCO) in California, the odds were against Howard from the start. After injuries to starter Clint Trickett and backup William Crest in 2014, he finally got his chance to shine in a Thursday night clash against Kansas State. From that point on, Howard solidified himself as the program’s starting quarterback.
In 28 career starts over 3 seasons, Howard amassed a 19-9 record while throwing for 7,302 yards and 60 touchdowns to 24 interceptions. He also made a significant impact in the ground netting 1,105 rushing yards and 16 rushing touchdowns. At this time, he ranks 4th in career passing yards, 3rd in career passing touchdowns, 3rd in career total offense, and is tied for 3rd in career total touchdowns with Will Grier at WVU. Howard is also well-known for his historic performance in the 2016 Motel 6 Cactus Bowl (532 passing yards, 5 passing touchdowns) and notching a 10-win season for the Mountaineers (2016).
For a quarterback that is so evidently accomplished, why does the fan base struggle in giving him his flowers? It could be a wide variety of things. In 2016, Howard called out fans for “booing” him at home games, likely leaving a bad taste in the mouth of some fans. Also, Howard’s career is heavily overshadowed by the quarterback that succeeded him – Will Grier.
Nonetheless, Skyler Howard is, plain and simply, one of the most accomplished quarterback to ever wear the Flying WV. Week after week, he laid it all on the line for the Mountaineers, displaying toughness and grit. In the 10 years since his departure, the program has struggled to even reach the heights Howard was able to take it to.
That says a lot, in my opinion.
He wasn’t the flashiest nor the most talented. What Skyler Howard did, though, was epitomize what it means to be a Mountaineer. When everything was against him, he always either came out on top or went down swinging. Just exactly how the beautiful state of West Virginia does each and every day.
Skyler Howard is everything that makes us proud to be a Mountaineer. His recognition is long overdue.
(Photo by WVU Athletics)
