General: Penciled in as the team's starting shortstop ... Had a breakout year in his first season as a full time starter ... Will be a leader in the clubhouse as well as on the field.

2001: Hit a career best three homers ... Recorded 146 assists from the shortstop position ... Went 5-for-10 in Arkansas-Little Rock series ... Was 2-for-4 with 2 RBIs against Vanderbilt ... Went 3-for-3 against UL-Lafayette in hearbreaking 9-8 loss ... Broke out of a 0-for-26 slump with a 2-for-5 effort against Memphis ... Blasted first career homer against Lipscomb ... Returned against Tennessee Tech after missing five games.

2000: Played in 20 games, starting 11 ... Drove in one run and scored five ... Majority of playing time came at second base .

1999: Played in 48 games, starting 38 ... Spent a majority of time at second and third ... Struggled at the plate, hitting .195 with six doubles and 12 RBIs ... Was solid in the field with a .960 fielding percentage.

High School: Hit .394 with four homers, 42 RBI and 20 stolen bases as a senior for coach Phil Clark at Germantown ... Was District Player of the Year, All-State, and USA Today All-Southeast ... Also lettered in basketball.

Personal: Richard Jason Howarth is the son of Rick and Teresa Howarth ... Has not yet chosen a major ... Lists winning the national championship as a freshman as his biggest sports thrill ... Born March 13, 1980.