Two-time Alamo Bowl Defensive MVP led the Horned Frogs in tackles for three straight seasons
32 | LB Travin Howard (2014-2017)
In the long list of standout linebackers during the Gary Patterson era of TCU defenses, Travin Howard had one of the most decorated careers. A three-star safety prospect out of Longview in the Class of 2014, Howard would move to linebacker as a sophomore and lead the Horned Frogs in tackling for three straight seasons, earning All-Big 12 honors each year. An Honorable Mention All-Conference selection In 2015, Howard logged 105 tackles including a career-best 19 tackles in the 2OT win over No. 7 Baylor in the freezing rain to close the regular season and 13 tackles in the 3OT Alamo Bowl over the Oregon Ducks, earning Defensive MVP.
Howard would be named to the All-Big 12 First Team in 2016 and 2017, logging 130 and 108 tackles respectively. The 2016 campaign featured eight double-digit tackle performances, including another 19-tackle outing in the 2OT loss to Texas Tech. In 2017, Howard would capture his third career interception, bringing it back to the endzone for a touchdown in the blowout win over SMU. In another thrilling Alamo Bowl comeback following the 2017 season, Howard again earned Defensive MVP, logging 10 tackles and two passes defensed in the victory over Stanford.
Howard was selected by the Los Angeles Rams in the 7th Round of the 2018 NFL Draft where he would play for five seasons, making 44 total tackles and making the game-sealing interception in the 2022 NFC Championship Game to send LA to Super Bowl LVI, which the Rams would win.
6. Donald pressure, Travin Howard interception pic.twitter.com/r3GUo39ac4
— Ruan (@staffordtonacua) February 18, 2022