GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Alabama offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin knew the Clemson defense would be ready for Heisman Trophy winner Derrick Henry. He knew the Tigers would be prepared for deep-threat receiver Calvin Ridley, too.
Tight end O.J. Howard?
Surprise.
"We were resting him," offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin deadpanned when asked why it took so long to get Howard into the game plan. "... O.J.'s legs were really fresh so we decided to pull him out and use him."
Better late than never.
In the game that mattered the most, Howard delivered an MVP performance with 208 yards and two touchdowns on just five catches in the Tide's 45-40 win over Clemson in the College Football Playoff National Championship Presented by AT&T. It was the most yards by any Alabama player in a bowl game, and his two touchdowns were also a career-best. And yet Howard entered the game with just 33 catches for 394 yards without a touchdown.
"O.J., quite honestly, should have been more involved all year long," coach Nick Saban said. "Sometimes he was open and we didn't get him the ball, but I think the last two games have been breakout games for him in terms of what he's capable of and what he can do. I would say it's bad coaching on my part that he didn't have the opportunity to do that all year long, because he is really a good athlete, and he's improved tremendously as a player this year."
Might those words sway Howard to play another year for Saban instead of entering the NFL draft early?
"You know, it makes me think about coming back and making plays next season for Coach," Howard said. "It'll get me more involved in the offense."
One of the biggest criticisms of Howard has been his blocking, but Saban said that has improved. The team will have a meeting on Wednesday, and Howard said he expects his parents to come to campus and meet with Saban to talk about the draft.
"We'll think hard on it," he said, "but at the end of the day, I'll make the right decision."
Howard is no stranger to having some patience. Until Monday night, he hadn't caught a touchdown pass since his freshman year in 2013.
"As far as [having patience] goes, you can't get frustrated when you're not getting the ball," he said. "I know how that works; you get frustrated you start messing up plays and then you're getting other guys hurt. If you're missing a block, you're definitely not going to get the ball if you're pouting about it. You've just got to be a good team player and play hard every down, so that's what I continued to do."
Howard hadn't caught a pass in the two games preceding the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic, but he had three for 59 yards against Michigan State, including one for 41 yards that Kiffin said helped Howard's confidence grow. Howard's second touchdown against Alabama -- a 51-yard reception -- put the Tide up 31-24 and was the exact same play they ran against Michigan State.
This time, Howard found the middle of the field wide open.
"It's such a good story," Kiffin said. "He never complained about anything. There were games when he wasn't catching the ball at all. He just kept working hard, he made huge plays today and I'm very happy for him."
Against Alabama, Howard caught a 53-yard touchdown pass from Jake Coker on the Tide's first possession off a play that Kiffin drew up in the locker room. There was no safety over the top, and Howard said he knew he was going to be open.
"We didn't even have that play to the left sideline," Kiffin said. "We didn't even have it, we just drew it up at halftime off of some stuff they were doing on defense. Our kids have done a great job of halftime adjustments. The last few weeks in a row there's been touchdowns on new plays where our kids have come and executed them."
Howard also caught a 63-yard pass in the fourth quarter that landed Alabama on Clemson's 14-yard line and helped set up the touchdown that sealed the win.
"We just had three busts," said Clemson coach Dabo Swinney. "We just had three critical errors where we just didn't do our job."
Howard was given plenty of opportunities to do his. The only question now is if Alabama fans will get to see more of it.
"He's got a big decision to make whether he comes back or not," Kiffin said. "Obviously we hope he comes back, but we'll support him if he doesn't and he'll have a great future either here or at the next level."