MOBILE, Ala. – University of South Alabama football wide receiver Jake Howton recently sat down with USA Athletic Media Relations to discuss his senior season, as well as life off the field.

The Cordova, Ala., native is one of five returning letterwinners at wide receiver, and is one of four seniors at the position.

How old were you when you started playing football?
"I started playing pee-wee football when I was six years old. I missed a couple of years in between because I played baseball year-round, but I have pretty much played since I was six."

What was your favorite sport to play in high school other than football? To watch?
"When I was growing up it was baseball. Football kind of took over when I got to high school, but if I had to pick a sport to watch now, other than football, it would be baseball."

Did you have any scholarship offers in any other sports besides football?
"I could have gone and played junior-college baseball. I didn't play baseball my senior year because I had already committed here, and it allowed me to play golf instead."

What factored into your decision to come to school at USA?
"South Alabama was really one of the first schools to contact me and target me. I had a really good relationship with (former USA assistant) Coach (Tommy) Perry. When I came on my visit, I was blown away by everything. I just felt like I could be a part of helping start something special here."

Who has influenced your playing career through the years?
"The biggest influence has been my high school head coach Pete Bush. If you would have told me when I was a sophomore in high school that I would have a chance to play college football, I would never have believed it. He came to me and put together a highlight tape for me and sent it out. He told me I had a chance, and once the phone calls started coming in I believed it. He is the guy who planted that seed in my head that I could play. I still talk to him probably once or twice a month. He checks in on Maleki (Harris) and me."

What do you like about playing in this offense?
"As a receiver you want to throw the ball and run routes, and we definitely take a lot of shots in this offense. We love that as receivers, but I like the rhythm of our offense. We haven't really gotten it going so far this year, but the last three or four games of last season were fun. If I were to ever become a coach, I would probably run this type of offense. I enjoy it."

How different is this offense compared to what you ran in high school?
"We ran the triple option in high school, and I played quarterback. That was obviously different. And then my freshman year here, we ran more of a pro-style offense with (former offensive coordinator) Coach (Greg) Gregory. It was run first, pass second for the most part. I always wanted to play in a spread offense as a quarterback and throw it around, and then (offensive coordinator) Coach (Robert) Matthews brought the spread here. I actually like playing receiver in this scheme the best because you get to run around and make plays."

What was the transition like from high school quarterback to college wide receiver?
"I played receiver my first two years, and quarterback my last two years of high school. I think it would have definitely helped to have played receiver all four years in high school. Going from quarterback to receiver did take a little time to transition. I had to learn how to play receiver. It definitely took a little time to figure out."

What are some of the strengths of the offense?
"Once this offense comes together, I think we can be an offense that has a lot of explosive-play capability with a lot of different guys. We haven't really shown it yet, but we are extremely talented at receiver. (USA quarterback) Brandon Bridge is a guy that a lot of teams don't have – someone who can throw it 75 yards downfield but can also take off and run it for 70. We have a very experienced offensive line. All of those guys have been here as long I have or longer. And take your pick at running back. We have four or five guys there who can make plays. Once we get rolling, I think we will be difficult to stop."

What are your strengths as a wide receiver?
"I feel I am a really good blocker, and a good route-runner. Brandon and I have pretty good chemistry. I can kind of tell what he is thinking having played quarterback. I know what coverages the defenses are in, and what I need to attack when I am out there. But I think my hands are my best attribute as a receiver."

How have you evolved as a player during your time at USA?
"I feel like I have just gained a better grasp of what we try to do offensively. It's hard for young guys to really understand the offense and what we're trying to do while trying to find their role on the team. But I feel like I was able to figure out my role my freshman year, and that helped me grasp the offense better."

How has the depth at wide receiver helped you improve?
"The past two springs have been competition-filled. Danny (Woodson II), Marvin (Shinn) and Shavarez (Smith) are guys who came in and really pushed everybody. Since my freshman year, the talent and depth here has increased significantly."

What type of leadership role have you assumed among the wide receivers?
"I feel a little responsibility in helping the new guys when they come in and taking them under my wing, whether it is teaching the offense or helping out around campus. I just try to do what I can to help them."

Did you set any personal goals at the beginning of the season?
"As far as personal goals, I really didn't set many. I want to fulfill my role on this team, whatever that may be. I want to do whatever I can to help this team win. I want to be a leader on the team, but more so at my position. I want to show guys how to play the position and help the new guys get a feel for everything. But we set more goals as a team. We want to get bowl eligible, win the conference and play to the best of our ability each week."

What do you want to do when you finish playing football?
"I have recently been thinking about becoming a graduate assistant somewhere. I don't know if it will be here or somewhere else, but coaching has popped into my head within the past year. But other than that, I graduate with a business management degree in the spring. If the coaching thing doesn't work out, I will find a job somewhere and start living life."

What do you like to do in your spare time?
"I like to go the movies and play golf. There are actually a lot of guys on the team who love to play."

What is the lowest round of golf you have ever shot?
"It's not too low – about an 83."

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