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NEW YORK, NY – Julian Howsare, former Clarion University All-America defensive end/linebacker, was signed today (Sept. 6) to the New York Jets practice squad.
“I’m excited for this opportunity to be on the Jets practice squad and continue to work hard on being the best football player I can be,” said Howsare. “I will do everything I can to make the most of this opportunity.”
All NFL teams released players by Saturday at 4pm to reach the NFL roster limit of 53 players. Howsare was among those released. Teams had until 4pm today to finalize their rosters. All released players could be signed by other NFL teams. The Jets chose to sign Howsare to the practice squad. He will practice with the Jets every day. Practice squad members can be called up to the game day roster at any time and activated to play for their NFL team. They do not have guaranteed contracts. The NFL generally allows players to be on NFL practice squads for up to two to three years, depending on circumstances.
Howsare, who signed as an outside linebacker, also saw time at fullback and on special teams during the Jets 2015 pre-season games. The other N.Y. Jets believed signed to the practice squad include Deion Barnes, Jordan Williams, Wesley Johnson, Taiwan Jones, Wes Sexton, Keon Lyn,
The Jets open their season on Sunday September 13 when they host the Cleveland Browns at 1pm.
The Jets are led by new first year head coach Todd Bowles. Bowles was the defensive coordinator with the Arizona Cardinals for the last two seasons, the defensive coordinator for the Philadelphia Eagles in 2012 and the interim head coach for the final three games of the 2011 season with the Miami Dolphins after coaching there from 2008-11.
“Congratulations to Julian for being signed to the practice squad,” said first year Clarion head coach Chris Weibel. “He’s worked very hard to get this far and we’re very proud of him.”
A D2Football.com First Team All-American and a Second Team Football Gazette A-A choice in 2014, Howsare, a 6-3, 255-pound, defensive end from Altoona, Pa., was named a finalist for both the Cliff Harris Award, and the Gene Upshaw Award at the end of the 2014 season.
A first team Daktronics and FB Gazette Super Region 1 choice this season, Julian was honored as the PSAC-West Defensive “Player of the Year” in 2014 for the second straight season. Also a First Team PSAC-West choice, a team captain in 2014 and consensus pre-season All-American, Howsare led Clarion with 86 tackles, 48 solo tackles, 11 sacks for -58 yards, 16 tfl’s for -69 yards, 5 pass break-ups, 3 blocked kicks, 3 fumbles caused, 3 qb hurries and 2 fumble recoveries.
The 2013 PSAC-West “Defensive Player of the Year”, Howsare was a Third Team Football Gazette All-American, a D-2.com Honorable Mention A-A, a First Team FB Gazette Super Region 1 and First Team PSAC-West selection.
In 2012 Howsare was also voted as a Third Team FB Gazette All-American, a First Team All-Region and First Team PSAC-West choice.
In his outstanding career Julian finished with 256 tackles, 57 tfl’s (-270), 39 sacks (-220), 10 blocked kicks, 14 break-ups, 9 fumbles caused, 3 interceptions and 2 fumble recoveries in 43 games.
The son of Karyn Stalter and John Howsare, he is a December 2014 Sports Management graduate and a Clarion Scholar Athlete.
CLARION NOTES: Howsare (‘14) started with the Jets wearing #59, but his number changed to accommodate being a fullback … not sure what his anticipated number will be.
The last NFL Player from Clarion was Reggie Wells, who had a 10-year career as an offensive guard, center and tackle from 2003 – 2012… He was drafted in the 6th round in the 2003 NFL Draft by the Arizona Cardinals and played with them from 2003 – 2009… He was the Cards Offensive Captain when Arizona played the Pittsburgh Steelers in the Super Bowl, Feb 1, 2009. He also had stints with the Philadelphia Eagles, Carolina Panthers and San Diego Chargers. He played in 119 career NFL games and started 93…. Former CU qb Jim Alcorn was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the 11th round in 1968 … Former great Alex Sandusky, an NFL All-Pro offensive guard with the Baltimore Colts, was drafted by the Colts in the 16th round in 1954.
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