ESPN has signed college football analyst Desmond Howard to a new multi-year contract. He prepares to kick off his 21st season on College GameDay Built by The Home Depot. The Heisman Trophy winner and Super Bowl MVP has been a fixture on the 10-time Sports Emmy Award-winning pregame show since joining ESPN in 2005.
Howard also contributes to ESPN’s exclusive College Football Playoff coverage and ABC’s NFL Draft programming. He also contributes to the Heisman Trophy Presentation, bringing his expertise and on-screen charisma to each broadcast.
“I am thrilled to continue this journey with ESPN,” Howard said. “There’s nothing I’d rather be doing during the fall than showcasing the incredible sport that we all love alongside my College GameDay family.”
Burke Magnus, President of Content at ESPN, praised Howard’s enduring impact on the network and the program. “Desmond has played a pivotal role in ESPN and College GameDay’s success for two decades, so we’re thrilled that the Heisman Trophy winner and one of college football’s all-time greats will continue to offer his analysis and perspective – and, of course, occasional friendly jabs – across our coverage,” Magnus said.
Howard has become a cornerstone of the GameDay team. He appears alongside host Rece Davis and analysts Lee Corso, Kirk Herbstreit, Pat McAfee, and Nick Saban. The crew returns for the season opener this Saturday, broadcasting live from Ohio State on ESPN.
The 1997 Super Bowl XXXI MVP and 2000 Pro Bowl selection joined ESPN after an 11-season NFL career. Drafted fourth overall by the Washington Redskins in 1992, Howard played for multiple teams including the Packers, Jaguars, Raiders, and Lions. His 99-yard kickoff return in Super Bowl XXXI made him the first and only special teams player to earn Super Bowl MVP honors as part of Green Bay.
Howard’s collegiate career at Michigan (1988–91) was equally decorated. He was the first receiver in Big Ten history to lead the conference in scoring. Furthermore, he set or tied five NCAA records and 12 single-season Michigan records. In 1991, he won the Heisman Trophy by the second-largest margin in history, claiming 85 percent of the vote. He also earned the Walter Camp and Maxwell Awards.
In recognition of his achievements, Michigan retired Howard’s No. 21 jersey in 2015. He has been inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame (2011), the National Football Foundation College Football Hall of Fame (2010), the University of Michigan Hall of Honor (2008), the State of Michigan Sports Hall of Fame (2007), the Gator Bowl Hall of Fame (2005), and the Cleveland Sports Hall of Fame (2005).
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