Ty Howle Season 2012

Center Ty Howle joined elite company this past spring when the coaching staff named him the recipient of his second career spring team award. Winner of the 2011 Frank Patrick Total Commitment Award, Howle earned the 2013 Red Worrell Award, which is presented to an offensive player for 'exemplary conduct, loyalty, interest, attitude and improvement' during spring practice. The list of offensive linemen who have won the Worrell Award in the Big Ten era includes Floyd Wedderburn, Tyler Lenda, Dave Costlow, Quinn Barham and the 2012 recipient, Matt Stankiewitch. Howle has been preparing for the opportunity this season presents since arriving on campus in January 2009, and is the top candidate to replace Stankiewitch for the starting assignment at center. The former Bunn High School all-state selection has played in 35 of 38 career games, handling the snapping duties on PAT attempts and field goals the past three years. The talented, tough and strong Howle made his first career start, at left guard, in last year[apos]s thrilling win over Wisconsin, but moved atop the depth chart at center during spring drills. He gives consistently strong, intense and productive effort in the weight room and on the field and will join All-Big Ten guard John Urschel and tackle Adam Gress as fellow seniors providing leadership for the O-Line. Howle is one of the squad[apos]s premier student-athletes, graduating in 3½ years in May 2012, along with Urschel. A Dean[apos]s List student, he is working on a second degree and attained Academic All-Big Ten honors in 2012 for the third consecutive year. Howle entered the summer with a 3.57 cumulative GPA and is a potential Capital One/CoSIDA Academic All-America® candidate. Howle is in his fourth year as head of operations for the Penn State chapter of Uplifting Athletes, a non-profit charitable organization that raises funds and awareness for rare diseases. Founded by Penn State football teammates, the Penn State chapter of Uplifting Athletes has raised more than $700,000 for the Kidney Cancer Association since 2003, including a record total of more than $110,000 in 2011-12.

2012 Senior Season
Howle played in the final nine games of the season, starting in the Senior Day victory over Wisconsin. He missed the first three contests as he rehabilitated a pectoral injury. He returned to the field against Temple and resumed his assignment as long snapper on all placements. Howle earned his first career start, at left guard, in the win over eventual Big Ten champion Wisconsin. He helped Zach Zwinak rush for a career-high 179 yards and Matt McGloin pass for 200 yards in the 24-21 win over the Badgers. Howle received his degree in kinesiology in May 2012. He earned Academic All-Big Ten honors for the third time.

2011 Junior Season
Howle played in every game for the second consecutive season, handling the snapping duties on placements and serving as a reserve center. He played a total of 98 snaps, led by 16 in the opener against Indiana State.

2010 Sophomore Season
Howle played in every game, handling snapping duties on PAT attempts and field goals. The Dean[apos]s List student compiled a 3.67 grade-point average for the 2011 spring semester and gained Academic All-Big Ten honors in the 2010 fall semester.

2009 Freshman Season
Redshirt season. Howle enrolled in the University in January 2009, but did not play.

High School
Howle played center for his father, David Howle, at Bunn High School. He was a two-time first-team all-state and all-conference honoree. Named to the ESPN 150 Watch List, Howle was rated the No. 11 center in the nation by Scout.com. A 2008 National Old Spice Red Zone Player-of-the-Year, Howle was named a Carolina Panthers Community Captain in 2008. He was selected to play in the 2008 Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas all-star game, pitting North Carolina against South Carolina. Howle also threw the shot put and discus as a member of the track and field team. He was on the honor roll and compiled a 3.8 grade-point average.

Personal
Full name is Tyler Walker Howle. He is the son of David and Jane Howle and has a younger sister, Abby. His father stepped down from his football coaching duties at Bunn High School in order to attend Penn State games starting in 2010. In his free time, Howle enjoys fishing and playing basketball. Howle earned his degree in kinesiology in May 2012 and is enrolled in a second major -- health policy and administration. Born August 20, 1991 in Raleigh, N.C.