Markus Howell signs with Renegades
March 9, 2005 - Canadian Football League (CFL)
Ottawa Renegades News Release
OTTAWA â The Ottawa Renegades added speed on both offence and defence Wednesday. Both positions were addressed with the signing of one player.
Markus Howell, who played his first five seasons in Winnipeg, signed a one-year contract (plus an option) with the Renegades. The speedy Canadian played his first four years mainly as a receiver for the Blue Bombers before shifting to full-time defensive back early last season, displaying the versatility that made him an enticing pick-up for Ottawa.
"We believe Markus is a young man with a lot of up side," said Joe Paopao, Renegades head coach and general manager. "He has tremendous speed and has an opportunity to excel with us. He started as a cornerback last season after playing the majority of his career as a receiver and he's a kid who can play multiple positions for us."
After a stellar rookie season, which began weeks after being a fourth round selection by Winnipeg in the 2000 Canadian College Draft (25th overall), Howell played all 18 games in each of the Bombers' next three seasons at the receiver position. He was an important part of the Bombers' 2001 Grey Cup finalist run and was an active part in the Bombers' playoff stints in between 2001 and 2003.
A 5-foot-11, 185-pound product of Texas Southern University, Howell is known for his speed. In addition to playing football for his alma mater â not only hauling in catches, but also adding rushing and returning duties for the Tigers, the now 29-year-old also ran for the school's track and field squad, competing in the 100 metre, 200 metre and 4x100 metre relay team.
It was in 2003 that he got his first taste of playing on the defensive side of the ball, taking reps in the secondary during the season when teammates were hurt, while still managing to accumulate a career high 520 all-purpose yards (282 receiving with two touchdowns and returns for 238 yards). His best year as a receiver was 2002, when he caught 38 passes for 415 yards.
A native of Winnipeg, Howell now joins fellow Renegades non-import receivers Pat Woodcock, Aubrey Cummings, Darryl Ray and David Azzi.
Canadian Football League Stories from March 9, 2005
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