2011: Started all 11 games at middle linebacker for the Redbirds, who led the conference in total defense (294.8 ypg) ... led the team with 83 tackles, including 34 solo stops, and added five tackles-for-loss ... also broke up a pair of passes and added a quarterback hurry ... posted seven or more tackles in eight games ... tallied a season-high 11 tackles in the season-opener at Eastern Illinois ... had seven tackles and two tackles-for-loss in a win over Morehead State ... recorded nine tackles and a tackle-for-loss at Youngstown State.

2010: All-Missouri Valley Football Conference Second-Team selection ...started all 11 games at middle linebacker ... led the Redbirds with a career-high 112 tackles, the most for an ISU player since 2007 ... ranked second in the MVFC with those 112 tackles ... averaged 10.18 tackles per game, which tied for 24th in the country ... ranked second on the team with 7.5 tackles-for-loss ... also tallied a sack, an interception and recorded four pass breakups on the season ... posted five double-digit tackle efforts ... recorded 1.5 TFLs and an interception against Central Missouri ... tied a then career-high with 14 tackles and 1.5 TFLs against Southern Illinois ... set a new career-high with 16 tackles and a TFL in a victory over Youngstown State.

2009: Played in 10 games, with four starting assignments ... started at middle linebacker the final three games of the season ... ranked third on the team with 51 total tackles, including 21 solo stops ... credited with a sack and 4.0 tackles-for-loss ... also added a pass breakup and a quarterback hurry ... recorded first career sack against Austin Peay ... collected nine tackles and a TFL in a win at Missouri State ... posted a career-high 13 stops and a half TFL at Youngstown State ... finished the season with nine tackles, a breakup and a hurry against No. 9 Northern Iowa.

2008: Played in six games, all as a reserve ... recorded a career-high three tackles against both Youngstown State and at Western Illinois. 2007: Redshirted.

Marian Catholic HS: Three-year starter ... the East Suburban Catholic Conference Defensive Player of the Year ... all-conference as a senior and twice named all-area ... collected 127 tackles, three sacks and two interceptions during his senior season ... posted 102 tackles as a junior ... coached by Dave Mattio ... member of the honor roll.

Personal: Born January 20, 1989, in Chicago Heights, Ill. ... son of Mark and Cindy Howe ... younger of two children ... high school teammate of current ISU teammate Cliffton Gordon ... major: insurance.