Ex Kansas State QB Will Howard transfers to Ohio State instead of going pro

Former Kansas State quarterback Will Howard has chosen his next team. Howard announced that he has committed to Ohio State for next season after four years in Manhattan, Kansas. The senior had been weighing his options over whether to turn pro or use the final year of eligibility he has. Howard had visited with Miami and USC but felt that Ohio State had ultimately been the right fit for him.

“I’m glad I took my time with this decision,” Howard told ESPN . “Through it, I got to learn a lot about myself and college football in general. It was a great process. I’m really glad I ended up choosing Ohio State. “I knew that if I passed this up, I’d regret passing up the chance to go be the quarterback at Ohio State.

I knew I’d be kicking myself if I passed up this opportunity.” The signal caller is coming off his best statistical season in 2023 when he completed 61.3 percent of his passes for 2,643 yards with 24 touchdowns and 10 interceptions for the Wildcats. Howard was named to the All Big 12 second team for his performance.

Over 34 total games over four years for the Wildcats, Howard threw for 5,786 yards and 48 touchdowns. He had been rated the No. 6 quarterback in the transfer portal by 247Sports. THE Ohio State University. Thank you God!! pic.twitter.com/FTVlrYEaZK The move likely means that the Buckeyes have found their next starting quarterback, barring unforeseen events before next season.

Ohio State does have Devin Brown, who started in the Cotton Bowl, and freshman Lincoln Kienholz as QB options, but Howard brings veteran experience to the position for 2024. Howard views the decision to head to Columbus as a chance to play on a team that can compete for a national championship. It also presents him with the opportunity to boost his draft stock before leaving college.

Howard wasn’t shy about his ultimate goal of making it to the NFL, and after some conversations, he was told that he would be projected to go anywhere between the late second round to fourth round this year. He believes that joining the Buckeyes gives him a chance to improve his draft position. “Going to Ohio State gives me a chance to make a jump and leap into that conversation,” Howard told ESPN.

Ohio State has had a history of sending quarterbacks to the pros successfully, which includes current Rookie of the Year favorite C.J. Stroud. Howard added that head coach Ryan Day’s system was also something he felt positive about. “When Coach Day and I met and went through the scheme, I’m a total football nerd and talk ball all day,” Howard said.

“We hit it off in that way. I knew that was the system that would get me the most prepared for that level.” He comes into an offense that ranked as the best in the Big Ten in 2023 with 407.9 yards per game..