Ohio State Buckeye quarterback Will Howard has had three excellent showings in the College Football Playoff ahead of the National Championship showdown with the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.
However, one former Notre Dame quarterback thinks differently, throwing dirt on Howard’s name in social media post on Saturday.
Former Notre Dame Quarterback Fires Shots at Ohio State QB Will Howard
Former Notre Dame quarterback Malik Zaire made news on Saturday after he posted strong feelings on X toward Howard.
“All the great QBs Ohio State has had the last 15 yrs and Howard is def the worst one by far and ostate fans are trying to convince me that he’s gonna lead them to the chip?!?! Lmao ok.”
Former Notre Dame QB Malik Zaire trashed Will Howard ahead of the National Championship Game:
"All the great QBs Ohio State has had the last 15 yrs and Howard is def the worst one by far…"https://t.co/7qkd3gND3u pic.twitter.com/LmVDi5ubVC
— On3 (@On3sports) January 12, 2025
Zaire, a current Overtime producer and CBS Sports color commentator, was a part of the Fighting Irish program for three seasons between 2014-2016. He transferred to join the Florida Gators for his senior season in 2017.
The public jab is coming from an interesting source, to put it lightly.
In his three seasons with Notre Dame, Zaire managed to complete only 59% of his passes for 816 yards and six touchdowns. He averaged 108 rushing yards per season. His one season with the Gators produced one interception and no touchdowns.
Meanwhile, Howard has passed for 919 yards in the Buckeyes’ three-game College Football Playoff run alone. He’s accompanied those yards with six touchdown passes, matching Zaire’s career total. On the season, he’s thrown for 3,779 yards with one game remaining, good for third in program history in a single season; his 37 touchdown passes rank fourth.
Zaire’s post continued — with a truly blasphemous comparison.
“I’d even take the OG Jalin Marshall at QB before Howard!!!!!!!!”
Marshall, a five-star recruit, committed to Ohio State in 2012 as a quarterback before quickly making the switch to wide receiver. He threw two passes on trick plays while a member of the Buckeyes, completing neither.
The sentiment that a college wide receiver would do better than a quarterback with a 37:10 touchdown-to-interception ratio on the season is disrespectful.
After four season at Kansas State, Howard transferred for his final year of eligibility, looking for an opportunity to lead a title run. He’s done just that, starting every game for the Buckeyes and looking better and better as the season has gone along. Ohio State wouldn’t be in the position they’re in without Howard.
While Howard may not have the first-round, high-ceiling NFL future that recent Buckeye quarterbacks C.J. Stroud and Dwayne Haskins had, he’s been an integral piece of Ohio State’s title run.
An all-time troll — I hope — or else Zaire might have lost his mind.
College Football Network has you covered with the latest from the ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, SEC, and every Group of Five conference and FBS Independent program.