By Darin When Dana Howard stepped onto the field, ball carriers had nowhere to run. As the most prolific tackler in the history of the University of Illinois and the Big Ten, Howard redefined the linebacker position for the modern era. From his unanimous All-American honors to becoming the first Fighting Illini to take home a major national trophy, Howard’s relentless pursuit of the ball secured his place among the defensive titans of the gridiron.
Football Bio
February 27, 1972 – East St Louis, Illinois – Dana Howard, the great linebacker from the University of Illinois, was born. The National Football Foundation describes Dana as a “tackling machine!” The NFF’s Bio on Howard states that Dana Howard became the first player in school history to earn a major national award when he received the 1994 Butkus Award as the best linebacker in the nation.
Dana was a two-time First Team All-American in both 1994 and was unanimously selected in 1994. When Howard stopped playing collegiate football, he was Illinois’ all-time leading tackler with 595 career stops, which was a Big Ten record at the time. Dana Howard was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2018.
The Dallas Cowboys selected Dana in the 5th round of the 1995 NFL Draft. Howard also spent time with the St. Louis Rams and the Chicago Bears. He also played for the Amsterdam Admirals in NFL Europe.
How good was he on defense? Check out this:
Big Ten Career Tackle Leaders
| Rank | Player | School | Total Tackles | Years |
| 1 | Dana Howard | Illinois | 595 | 1991–1994 |
| 2 | John Sullivan | Illinois | 552 | 1974–1978 |
| 3 | James Laurinaitis | Ohio State | 375* | 2005–2008 |
| 4 | Greg Jones | Michigan State | 465* | 2007–2010 |
| 5 | Josey Jewell | Iowa | 437* | 2014–2017 |
Conclusion
Dana Howard remains a cornerstone of the University of Illinois defensive legacy. His ability to diagnose plays and execute nearly 600 career tackles set a standard of excellence that few have ever approached. By earning the Butkus Award and a spot in the College Football Hall of Fame, Howard proved that a kid from East St. Louis could rise to become the premier linebacker in the country, leaving an indelible mark on the Big Ten record books.
Accolades and Football Accomplishments
- College Football Hall of Fame: Inducted in 2018.
- Butkus Award Winner: Named the nation’s top linebacker in 1994.
- Unanimous First-Team All-American: Selected in 1994.
- Two-Time First-Team All-American: Recognized in both 1993 and 1994.
- Three-Time First-Team All-Big Ten: (1992, 1993, 1994).
- Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year: Awarded in 1993 and 1994.
- Illinois All-Time Leading Tackler: Recorded 595 career stops.
- Big Ten Record Holder: Held the conference record for career tackles upon graduation.
- Jack Lambert Trophy Winner: Recognized as the top linebacker in 1994.
