Will Howard was a three-star recruit out of high school in Downingtown, Pennsylvania and was pursued by 20 colleges before signing with the Kansas State Wildcats. As a freshman, he stepped in to replace the injured Skylar Thompson. He returned to being Thompson’s backup again in 2021.
He was slated to be the starter in 2022, but Adrian Martinez transferred in and took the spot until he, too, was injured, allowing Howard to step back in as the starter to finish out the year. He finally became the full-time starter as a senior in 2023 and started 12 games. With the change in eligibility years after COVID, Howard used the transfer portal to spend his fifth and final collegiate season as the starter for Ohio State.
That move proved prudent. He led the Buckeyes to a 14-2 record and led the team to a National Championship where he was named the Offensive MVP. He racked up a total of 4,010 passing yards, threw for 35 touchdowns and rushed in seven more.
