Tennessee WR Davis Howell sets new national career receptions record

There's a new all-time career receiving record holder, and he hails from a tiny school in Tennessee … and hasn't even landed an official college scholarship offer yet.

As reported by the Knoxville News and Knoxville NBC affiliate WBIR, among other sources, Knoxville (Tenn.) Christian Academy (CAK) wide receiver Davis Howell led CAK to the Tennessee Class 3A state title in a 48-14 victory against Milan (Tenn.) High. In the process, Howell surpassed the standing all-time career receptions record held by Sherwood (Ohio) Fairview High receiver Ben Wonderly, who caught 349 passes during his career at the Ohio school.

Howell finished with 15 receptions, 172 yards and 1 touchdown through the air for CAK in the final game of his high school career.

As previously noted here at Prep Rally, Howell had overcome significant discomfort just to continue chasing the record, playing the final six games of his senior season with a broken thumb, which was taped up for game days but significantly limited his action the rest of the time.

"To see him not only break a record, but do it with a broken thumb and make the plays he has made," CAK head football coach Rusty Bradley told WBIR. "It's just a testament on how good God is in what he's done for Davis and he finds a way to make plays."

For his part, Howell said that the record had yet to sink in, though he was quick to put it in perspective when compared with the team's larger accomplishment.

"I mean, it hasn't sunk in yet … the national record," Howell told WBIR. "But I'm more excited about winning state right now."

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