Will Howard’s decision to transfer to Ohio State proved instrumental in the Buckeyes’ national championship win over Notre Dame. As Howard entered the 2025 NFL Draft conversation, his remarkable playoff run was applauded by Ohio State coach Ryan Day.
Ryan Day on Will Howard’s Leadership
The veteran quarterback had initially made a name for himself at Kansas State. He delivered an extraordinary postseason performance, breaking records and setting his sights on the NFL. Ryan Day offered high praise for Howard, particularly focusing on his football intelligence.
Reflecting on their first meeting, Day shared his impressions of Howard’s potential as a quarterback:
“It started with me when I first met Will. I saw something in him, a football IQ intelligence. I saw him play on film at Kansas State and win championships and win big games and be able to make an impact with his feet but also throw with accuracy and anticipate throws.
“And those are things that are hard to find. Then you see a guy, you meet him, and his football IQ and maturity is what kind of captured me.”
Howard’s mentality was a key factor in his successful transition to Ohio State, with Day noting that Howard’s resilience stood out during critical moments:
“I had a feeling that we would be in a situation like this where we needed his feet to go win a game, and that’s exactly what happened in this game. But what I didn’t know was how special his leadership is, and his resilience, and his positive mindset. It’s something I learned a lot about — I learned from these guys all the time.”
Howard made history during the College Football Playoff, amassing 1,150 yards and eight touchdowns through the air. This performance made him the first quarterback to throw for over 1,000 yards in a single postseason.
Although Howard had two additional playoff games compared to Joe Burrow, who previously set the passing record in 2019 with 956 yards, Howard used his extra games to his advantage.
At 23 years old, Howard led Ohio State to a national title, earning his place in the history books. As the Buckeyes’ first national champion quarterback since 2014, Howard’s performance significantly boosted his NFL prospects. He is now poised to be one of the top quarterbacks in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Howard’s NFL Draft Projections Have Got Mixed Opinions
As Howard’s name enters the conversation for the upcoming draft, opinions remain divided on where he could be selected. Some analysts consider him a potential Day 3 pick, while others see him as a top-50 talent. NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah weighed in on Howard’s draft potential after the national title game. He said on The Pat McAfee show:
“I’m excited to dig in further on Will Howard. I have him as a Top 50 pick right now, but I have to go through some more of his tape.”
KEEP READING: Howard Declares Ohio State’s WRs the Best in the Nation
Despite his strong postseason run, Howard will face tough competition for a spot in the first round, especially with quarterbacks like Miami’s Cam Ward and Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders projected to be selected within the top Five.
While Howard’s draft stock may rise due to the scarcity of elite quarterback prospects in the class, there are concerns about his immediate readiness for the NFL. Experts agree that a team selecting him should plan for him to sit for at least one full season to develop before taking on a starting role.
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