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Will Howard opens up about playing at Ohio State: ‘There’s something special about this team’

Sean Labar

By Sean Labar

Published:

Will Howard has had a long and winding road to Columbus and serving as the starting quarterback for Ohio State.

On Aug. 15, Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day announced Howard as the team’s starting QB for the Akron game after an offseason competition with Devin Brown. Brown was named the backup behind Howard heading into the season opener.

While nothing was set in stone, Howard, has felt like the frontrunner to start at quarterback this season since transferring in after starting 28 games over the last four years at Kansas State.

On Tuesday, the new Buckeye QB met with the media and could barely contain his excitement heading into the season opener.

“I’m so excited,” Howard said. “I truly can’t overstate how excited I am. I grew up as a kid watching the Big Ten. The Shoe and the atmosphere, it’s different. I’m excited to experience all of that.”

With all of the hype and expectation surrounding this 2024 Buckeyes squad in particular, Howard didn’t shy away from mentioning the potential this team could have entering the 204 college football season.

“There’s something special about this team and this year,” he added.

Howard, who played a pivotal role in Kansas State’s run to a Big 12 Championship in 2022, entered the transfer portal on Nov. 27 after going (12-5 ) in 17 starts for the Wildcats over the past two seasons. He took visits to Miami and USC and even contemplated entering the NFL Draft before committing to the Buckeyes, according to ESPN.

“The goal I have, I want to go win a national championship,” Howard told ESPN. “At the end of the day, I want to go be a starting quarterback in the NFL. … I feel like the best place to stick as a quarterback in the NFL is as a first or second-round pick in the NFL Draft. Going to Ohio State gives me a chance to make a jump and leap into that conversation.”

In 2023, Howard led the Wildcats to an (8-4) record, throwing for 2,843 yards and 24 touchdowns. The 6-foot-5, 242-pound Howard also rushed for 351 yards and 9 touchdowns, bringing a unique versatility to the QB position for the Buckeyes with someone of his size.

Sean Labar