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COLUMBIA, MO. • Defensive end Nate Howard has been dismissed from the Missouri football program, the team confirmed Thursday.

Earlier in the day, Howard announced his departure on Twitter, saying, "Once a Tiger Always a Tiger! farewell Mizzou Nation!"

Howard, who's been arrested twice this summer and had been suspended by the team since June, told the Post-Dispatch he's unsure where he'll play next. MU coach Barry Odom is "going to help him find somewhere to get a fresh start," team spokesman Chad Moller said in a text message.

Howard, a former All-Metro player at Ladue High, was arrested in June on a felony drug charge and again Monday for failing to appear in court for a speeding ticket. Howard had an arraignment scheduled for last Thursday in Montgomery County Circuit Court for a misdemeanor speeding ticket filed March 28. Howard didn’t pay the ticket for $121 or appear in court to contest the charge, according to online court records. A warrant was issued for his arrest.

Howard was detained during a traffic stop Monday when MU police discovered the warrant. Howard pleaded guilty and paid for the speeding ticket Tuesday.

Howard’s next court date in his felony drug possession case is Aug. 24. Howard was arrested June 14 in Columbia on suspicion of possession of a controlled substance and suspicion of marijuana possession when police found illegal mushrooms and marijuana in the vehicle he was driving. Howard has been charged with a Class D felony for possession of a controlled substance. All MU athletes charged with a felony are suspended indefinitely until their case is resolved. He remained suspended as of Monday.

Howard has not practiced with the Tigers since the spring, when he split snaps with the first-team defense and appeared on the verge of becoming a regular along the Tigers’ defensive line. Howard has 15 tackles in 15 career games. 

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