Will Howard wasn't supposed to be a legend. Honestly, if you asked a Kansas State fan back in 2023, they might have told you he was just a solid, gritty kid who "maxed out" his potential. Then Columbus called.
He didn't just step into the shoes of C.J. Stroud or Justin Fields; he stepped into a furnace. Ohio State fans don't do "patient." They do "National Championship or bust." When Howard announced his transfer on January 4, 2024, the reaction was... mixed. Some saw a bridge. Others saw a Big 12 game-manager trying to play hero in the Big Ten.
But then the 2024 season actually happened.
Howard didn't just manage the game. He shattered the school’s single-season completion percentage record at 73%. He threw for 4,010 yards. He accounted for 42 total touchdowns. Most importantly? He did what the high-flying first-rounders before him couldn't do: he brought a National Championship trophy back to High Street.
The Transformation Nobody Saw Coming
When Howard arrived, Ryan Day and the Buckeyes' staff didn't just hand him a playbook. They handed him a diet plan. Day actually challenged him to change his body composition immediately. We’re talking dexa scans and performance dietitians.
The result? He looked like a different human being. He was still 6'4" and roughly 235 pounds, but he moved with a suddenness that caught defenses off guard. It wasn't just about losing weight; it was about the "zip" on the ball. If you watch the early season tape against Nebraska, you can see it. He completed his first 10 passes in that game.
He basically became a point guard in a helmet.
People love to talk about his arm strength—or lack thereof—but the numbers tell a different story. According to PFF, Howard was actually one of the most efficient deep passers in the country in 2024. He finished the year with a 96.3 passing grade on deep balls. He wasn't just dinking and dunking to Jeremiah Smith and Emeka Egbuka. He was letting it rip.
That "Personal" Win Against Penn State
Every player has a "chip on their shoulder" story, but Howard’s is legitimate. Growing up in West Chester, Pennsylvania, he wanted to be a Nittany Lion. They didn't want him.
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Fast forward to November 2, 2024. No. 4 Ohio State rolls into Happy Valley to face No. 3 Penn State. It was a dogfight. The Buckeyes willed themselves to a 20-13 victory, and Howard didn't hide his emotions afterward. He called it a "personal" win.
"They didn't offer me a scholarship. I remember that," Howard said after the game.
That game was the turning point. It wasn't his most prolific statistical outing, but it proved he could handle the "heavyweight" environment. He wasn't skittish. He was the one calming down the huddle when the crowd noise was peaking.
Breaking Down the 2024 Stats
If you're into the nitty-gritty, Howard's 2024 campaign was statistically absurd. He played 16 games and finished with a passer rating of 175.3.
- Passing Yards: 4,010
- Passing TDs: 35
- Interceptions: 10
- Rushing TDs: 7
- Completion Rate: 73% (School Record)
The efficiency is what sticks out. He wasn't just throwing a lot; he was throwing accurately. He averaged 9.5 yards per attempt. To put that in perspective, anything over 8.5 is usually considered "elite" territory for a college starter.
But look, it wasn't perfect. He struggled at times without play-action. When defenses forced him into standard dropbacks, his effectiveness dipped. He also had a tendency to stare down his primary read, which led to those 10 interceptions. NFL scouts noticed. That’s why, despite the massive college success, he didn't go in the first round.
The NFL Draft Reality Check
There’s a weird disconnect between college production and NFL projection. Howard led Ohio State to a 14-2 record and a title, but he fell to the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
The Pittsburgh Steelers snatched him up at pick 185.
Why the slide? Scouts saw a "game manager Plus." Some compared him to Mason Rudolph—a big-framed guy who can move the chains but might lack the "elite" arm talent to be a franchise savior. Others saw a more mobile Nick Foles.
The Steelers’ offensive coordinator, Arthur Smith, seems to love the fit, though. Smith’s system relies heavily on play-action and a quarterback who isn't afraid to use his legs in short-yardage situations. Howard fits that to a T. He has that "old school" toughness that plays well in Pittsburgh.
He even appeared on Ben Roethlisberger’s Footbahlin podcast shortly after being drafted. The vibes are there. But he’s going to have to prove he can process faster against NFL secondaries that don't give him the "Jeremiah Smith" cushion.
What Really Happened in the National Championship
The game against Notre Dame on January 20, 2025, was his masterpiece. He went 17-for-21 for 231 yards and two touchdowns. He didn't turn the ball over once.
He was named the Offensive MVP of the National Championship Game.
It wasn't a flashy, 500-yard performance. It was a clinic in "situational football." He converted three critical third-downs with his legs. He checked out of bad plays. He played like a fifth-year senior who had seen every blitz known to man.
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That’s the thing about Will Howard. You can knock the "ceiling," but the "floor" is incredibly high. He won. He won at Kansas State (Big 12 Title) and he won at Ohio State (National Title). You can't fake that.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts
If you're trying to figure out if Howard will stick in the NFL, or if you're just looking back at his legacy, here is what actually matters:
- Don't ignore the sack rate: Howard is in the 81st percentile for avoiding sacks. He doesn't take "dumb" losses, which keeps the offense on schedule.
- Play-action dependency: His NFL success depends almost entirely on the scheme. If he’s in a "spread and shred" system, he might struggle. If he’s in a heavy play-action system (like Pittsburgh), he has "starter" potential.
- The "Weight" Factor: His commitment to his physique in 2024 showed a professional level of discipline. He isn't just a "big guy"; he's an athlete who can adapt.
- Mental Toughness: He was pushed out at Kansas State for the "next big thing" (Avery Johnson). He went to OSU and beat out blue-chip recruits like Julian Sayin. He doesn't fold.
Will Howard will likely never be the face of the NFL. He might spend his career as a high-end backup or a "bridge" starter. But for one year in Columbus, he was exactly what the Buckeyes needed. He was the adult in the room.
Next Steps: You can track Howard's transition to the pros by watching the Steelers' preseason snaps in August. Pay close attention to his completion percentage on non-play-action throws—that will be the ultimate "tell" for his NFL longevity.