Buffalo Bills Sign Jarveon Howard, UFL Standout from St. Louis Battlehawks, After Workout
The Buffalo Bills have added running back Jarveon Howard, a standout from the St. Louis Battlehawks, following a team workout yesterday. Howard is another example of the growing connections between emerging leagues and the NFL, as Buffalo looks to bolster its backfield depth.
Howard impressed in the UFL with the Battlehawks, finishing the season with 316 rushing yards and three touchdowns. He delivered a timely 74-yard touchdown run in Week 1 against Houston that helped set the tone for St. Louis. His performance was complemented by a strong overall number, including a 77.7 offensive grade from Pro Football Focus for the season. Despite sharing carries behind Jacob Saylors, Howard proved himself as a high-impact player when called upon.
College and NFL background add context to his journey. Howard starred at Alcorn State, rushing for 1,428 yards and 17 touchdowns over his final two collegiate seasons. He earned an NFL opportunity with the Green Bay Packers, spending time with them during the 2024 preseason before continuing his career in the UFL this past season. Now, he has earned another shot in the NFL with the Bills, joining fellow UFL standouts who’ve made the jump.
Howard is the sixth Battlehawks player to sign an NFL contract, underscoring the UFL-to-NFL pipeline and the talent level the league can showcase to major teams. Buffalo’s signing of Howard came after he was one of two UFL backs brought in for workouts, with Ricky Person Jr. being the other back in consideration.
What this means for Buffalo: adding a dynamic, big-play capable back provides depth and competition behind the team’s top backs and offers potential as a contributor on special teams. Howard’s speed and burst, demonstrated on his 74-yard TD run and throughout the season, give the Bills another option to verse in practice and potentially in game situations as he continues to adapt to the NFL level.
Summary and outlook: Jarveon Howard’s move to Buffalo marks a positive step in a player’s continued ascent from comparable pro leagues to the NFL. If he continues to translate his UFL success to the pros, he could become a valuable depth piece for Buffalo and a potential breakout candidate in future seasons.
Optional note: As the Bills continue to refine their roster, keep an eye on how Howard’s versatility and depth impact their backfield rotations and special-teams contributions in the upcoming season.