Former Buffalo State defensive end Dez Howard has signed a contract to play for the Omaha Beef for the 2017 season in the Champions Indoor Football League (CIF).
 
Howard completed his four-year playing career at Buffalo State in 2015, finishing with 106 tackles, including 16 tackles for loss and 10 sacks.  He also had three forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.   Howard was a two-time All-Empire 8 second team selection, earning the honor in both his junior and senior seasons.
 
The Beef compete in the CIF, a league comprised of 14 teams with franchises in Texas, Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, North Dakota and Missouri.   The Beef will officially open the 2017 season at home against Bismarck on March 10.