One of the top quarterbacks in this year’s Transfer Portal has found a home. Will Howard, formerly of Kansas State has transferred to Ohio State. He has one year of eligibility remaining.
Will Howard Transfers to Ohio State
History of Production
In his time in Manhattan, Kansas, Howard became a well-known player. In four years, he made 34 appearances and 27 starts.
Heading to KSU, Howard was a three-star quarterback and was considered the 13th-best pro-style quarterback in the 2020 class. In his true freshman season, Howard was able to make an immediate impact. He racked up seven starts and had himself a breakout performance against Kansas. He ended up with 1,178 yards and eight touchdowns.
As a sophomore, Howard did not have as much of an impact, only appearing in six games with three starts.
However, his big break was in 2022 as a junior. Howard appeared in seven games with five starts and led his team to a Big 12 Championship and an appearance in the Sugar Bowl. In total, he ended up with 1,633 yards and 15 touchdowns.
This past year, Howard had full reigns on the offense. He started every game and finished with 2,643 yards and 24 touchdowns. His most impressive performance of 2023 was in the narrow 33-30 loss to Texas in overtime. Howard threw for 327 yards and four touchdowns and led his offense to a 16-point fourth quarter which included getting the offense down for a last-second field goal to tie it.
In total, Howard brings 5,786 yards and 48 touchdowns to Columbus.
Where He Fits
This past year for the Buckeyes was not one to remember and most of the concern and ire was directed at the starting quarterback, Kyle McCord. In the weeks following the season, McCord elected to test his luck in the Transfer Portal and landed at Syracuse.
Behind him are Devin Brown and Lincoln Kienholz. Before the Cotton Bowl, the pair attempted a total of 27 passes on the year, 22 of which were Brown’s in five appearances. In said bowl, neither quarterback elicited a feeling of optimism. Most of that was not their fault as neither quarterback could get anything going due to a porous offensive line. However, Brown started and accounted for 20 yards off of four-of-six passing before going down with an injury. Kienholz came in and managed just 86 yards and completed six of seventeen. It ended up a 14-3 loss to Missouri and snapped the program’s 88-game streak of at least one touchdown scored.
For 2024, Ohio State has a five-star quarterback enrolling early in Air Noland. While nobody but Ryan Day can say for certain, the prevailing idea is that Howard will be a one-and-done to allow Noland to develop and take over in 2025.
Ohio State’s offense is not predicated on a mobile quarterback but it does give it another level. That’s a level the Buckeye have been lacking for the most part. Howard gives that, to an extent.
In his time, Howard logged 226 rushing attempts and has the ability to take off if given the opportunity.
This transfer is likely not going to immediately spark optimism especially when recency bias has fans remembering the performance in the Cotton Bowl. However, Howard is a very good quarterback. If there is any doubt in Day’s head regarding the development of Brown and Kienholz, or whether Noland can start on day one, Howard is a great addition.
After losing depth to the Portal, it was obvious Day was going to take advantage of incoming transfers. Howard is the first win in what hopes to be an active offseason for the Buckeyes.
