According to a press release issued yesterday on behalf of Minnesota football coach Tim Brewster, freshman reserve wide-out and specialty ace Harold Howell has been dismissed from the program due to violations of academic and team guidelines.

Howell was the Gophers’ leading returner on special teams, where he took 15 punts back for 72 yards and returned 30 kickoffs for 693 yards.

His 780 all-purpose yards were third only to receivers Eric Decker and Ernie Wheelwright.

As a receiver, Howell did not record a reception all season and appeared in only 10 of the team’s 12 games last season – missing two because of “personal issues.”

The Jacksonville, Fla. Native spent spring practice working on a position change to defensive back, although the attempt is now a moot point.