Former Kansas State quarterback Will Howard has made it official. He will be playing for Ryan Day and the Ohio State Buckeyes in 2024.
Howard is now off the market after entering the transfer portal in the aftermath of the 2023 college football campaign. He is just the next domino to fall in the transfer portal, with transfers coming in thick and fast.
Following four seasons with the Wildcats, Howard will supplant Kyle McCord, who transferred to Syracuse after one season as the team’s starter.
Why Did Will Howard Chose Ohio State?
Howard entered the transfer portal on Nov. 27 and hasn’t been short of attention. The former Wildcat was rumored to have also been in contact with Nebraska, Miami, Wisconsin, and USC.
However, Howard has found himself in a healthy spot with the Buckeyes.
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The rumors that USC would be interested in Howard started on Dec. 3, when Derek Young reported that Riley had flown out to meet Howard.
It was then reported that USC had become a “likely landing option” for Howard, with rumors heating up on Dec. 12. Pete Nakos from On3 then shared, “USC continues to trend as a likely landing option for the Kansas State transfer. A strong fit with Lincoln Riley’s scheme”.
However, things took a turn as USC saw Miller Moss throw for six touchdowns against Louisville in the Holiday Bowl. The Buckeyes didn’t have as much fortune with their backups as Devin Brown and Lincoln Kienholz struggled mightily against Missouri.
Howard is coming off the best season of his career in 2023, where he threw for 2,643 yards in 219 completions from 357 attempts. Howard also posted 24 touchdowns in 2023 and ten interceptions.
Howard ends his career at Kansas State with 5,786 yards and 48 touchdowns in four seasons.
Having entered the transfer portal, Howard should be pleased with his landing spot. The allure of playing for Day and Ohio State is crystal clear, with the program running a favorable QB system that has produced several NFL quarterbacks in recent years.
ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported Howard’s decision and later said: “The Ohio State staff evaluated all of the top portal quarterbacks and arrived with conviction that Howard was the best among them, as they valued his arm strength, experience, and dual-threat ability.”
Why Did Ohio State Need a New QB?
Ohio State lost McCord unexpectedly, and the remaining options are unproven. While Brown and Kienholz had recruiting chops, neither had much on-field action. Air Noland, a true freshman who just put pen to paper with the Buckeyes on National Signing Day, will join them.
The loss of McCord and the poor play of his backups didn’t lead to many rumors, though. The Buckeyes weren’t linked to many transfer portal options, so Howard’s recruitment was not a sign of desperation.
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Howard brings experience and proven ability that Ohio State hasn’t seen anyone on its roster.
He is a known commodity, and bringing Howard in for a season allows Ohio State to evaluate what they have on their roster, as Day puts his stamp on this team with his recruiting classes.
Miss any action from the top college QB Rankings during the 2023 football season? Want to track all the movement with the college football’s transfer portal? College Football Network has you covered with that and more!