2025 NFL Draft interview: Colorado State DB Jack Howell

WCG’s lead draft analyst speaks with Colorado State’s star safety.

Colorado State safety Jack Howell has one of the best resumes you’ll find for a defensive back in the 2025 NFL Draft.

A two-time first-team All-Mountain West defender, Howell finishes college with 370 tackles, five interceptions and four forced fumbles in four years. After starring in the Rams’ secondary throughout his time in college, he’s looking to carry his high level of play over to the NFL.

Windy City Gridiron spoke with Howell about his time at Colorado State, their in-state rivalry with Colorado, growing up with a former NFL safety as a dad, and more.

JI: With all you accomplished at Colorado State, what would you say is your favorite memory from there?

JH: Man, it’s hard to pinpoint one certain thing, obviously, because there’s so many people and different experiences. Any off-the-field stuff with any of the guys is honestly the best time of college football, and just having that community. If we’re talking game wise, I would have to say Boise State my junior year. That was such a fun game, winning on a Hail Mary, and then actually getting a penalty from rushing the field, and then we had to kick a deep —pretty much field goal; it’s just a point after, though — and win that way. That was our first time beating Boise in program history. I had a good game, got a lot of solo tackles and opportunities against Ashton Jeanty, which is always really fun. It was a great time. That’s probably my favorite memory.

JI: When I watch your tape, I see a willingness to lower the shoulder and hit harder than most safeties. Is that a developed mentality or something you just have?

JH: I think there’s definitely two things. One, I think that’s what makes me the player that I am, is my tackling. I would put my tackling skills up against anyone in the upcoming draft. I take a lot of pride in that. You just have to have willingness to put your body on the line for your team. Me and my friend [fellow Colorado State defensive back] Henry Blackburn talk about that all the time. You just got to be willing to lay it all out there on every play, go 100%. Whatever the outcome is, just give it your best effort, and everything will fall in line there. As far as tackling, I’d attribute it to wrestling. Growing up, I never liked to wrestle, but it’s something my dad always made me do. I’m super thankful looking back that he did make me do it. You learn to love it, and it sucks, but it’s something that I think is a fundamental building block for tackling.

JI: That’s interesting. I always hear offensive and defensive linemen talk about their wrestling backgrounds, but I can see the parallels at safety, for sure.

JH: No, definitely. I think there’s a lot of stuff wrestling could teach you, but I think tackling-wise, it’s really good for that.

JI: You mentioned your dad John, and he was a safety in the NFL for six years. What was it like growing up with a dad who played in the league?

JH: Man, it’s been everything, having my dad in my corner from the time I was in youth ball at seven years old, playing football, having him coach me and push me as hard as he could. A lot of times I’d be like, “why is he coaching me so much harder than everyone else? Why is he on me?” That’s just something that I’ve been grateful for, that he’s been able to push me to be my absolute best. I’m super thankful for that. I don’t know how many times I’ve called him with questions. Even if I’m just frustrated with something, having him to call [is helpful]. He’s experienced a lot of I’ve experienced; he was a safety, too. I can go to him for a lot of answers. It’s really nice to have someone like that in your corner.

JI: Some parent coaches growing up showed preferential treatment to their kids sometimes. It sounds like you had to earn that playing time with your dad.

JH: Man, I remember there was a really good youth quarterback. I used to play quarterback, and he invited him to join the team. I was like, “man, what are you doing, Dad? [He’s gonna] take my spot.” He’s like, “I want you to be able to grow up competing, and that’s something you’re going to have to learn, because you’re going to do that at the next level and the next level after that,” and so on. Life’s always about competition, and you have to be comfortable in the uncomfortable, is what he’s always saying. I really attribute that to him.

JI: What’s your mindset like in these coming weeks and months as the NFL Draft draws near?

JH: I want to show everyone what I can do, who I am. For some reason, I’ve kind of always been slept on my entire career. [I was] pretty under-recruited coming out of high school, and then now, doing the same thing. I feel like I’ve proved myself, but it doesn’t matter to me, man. I just want an opportunity to ball. [I’ll] let everything else fall in line. I’m excited to be able to have that opportunity. I’m really excited to see what I can do at my Pro Day. I think I’m gonna put up some great numbers. I’m really excited to see that athleticism part of it. I feel like a lot of times I can go overlooked, and I’m just thankful to be able to be in a spot where I can get an opportunity. I want to show people the type of player I am, and I have no doubt that’ll happen.

JI: I remember staying up to watch that Colorado State-Colorado game go into double OT back in 2023. Can you tell me a little bit about what that rivalry means to the program?

JH: I remember that first game [in 2023] especially was crazy. The second game is always great, too. That Rocky Mountain Showdown rivalry in general is awesome. I don’t think people really recognized that until the spotlight of Deion [Sanders, Colorado’s head football coach] showed that. That first game, especially, it felt like the whole country was against us. No one wanted us to win at first. Then, the game went on, people started to change their mind, and they’re like, “it’s like a Rocky sort of deal there towards the end.” It’s super cool. [Colorado’s] got a lot of great players. Travis Hunter is great. Shedeur Sanders, Jimmy Horn, another really good player, Xavier Weaver the first year. I can’t say enough good things about the team. I might not like them, but they do have my respect. That’s a good football team. I think Deion is an awesome coach, honestly. I think Boulder is lucky to have someone like him.

JI: How do you like to spend your free time outside of football?

JH: I think people is everything, just being around the right people. I got a pretty diverse friend group, man. It can depend on anything, what we’re doing, but me and myself, personally, [I llike] hunting, fishing, being outdoors, being in nature. Anything with my brother and sister, anytime I can spend with them is the best. I wish I could play soccer, too. I always talk about that with my sister. She plays for Gotham FC in New York. I always wish that I could play soccer growing up, so anytime I get the chance, I go to the field with her. I like to do whatever. I’m a pretty open book and like experience a bunch of new things.

JI: Colorado’s got some breathtaking spots to visit, I know.

JH: You really do. Estes [Park] is like an hour drive, and you can go up there and see some of the prettiest country in the United States. It’s great.

JI: What’s the biggest kill you’ve ever taken down hunting?

JH: Honestly, I would say bison or elk. I have a ranch actually, in Nebraska. My dad runs hunts out of there, and it’s bison and elk, mule deer, whitetail. I’d say either elk or bison.

JI: Let’s say I’m an NFL general manager. What would I be getting if I drafted you to my team?

JH: First and foremost, you get someone that loves football. I think that’s the biggest thing with me. I love football and everything that comes with it, from the relationships that you that you’re able to connect with, to the competition part of it. I love competing. I think the thing that I like most is proving people wrong, kind of that underdog story. I love football in general, man. I think you get a safety who can play everywhere. I’ve been asked to play in the box, play in the post, half quarters. I can do whatever, really. I can for sure say I think you’d get the best tackling safety too.