‘He’s got a real chance to be elite’: Will Howard hypes up Ohio State’s expected starting QB in 2025 while adding pressure
Ohio State QB Will Howard bumped his stock up with a terrific run in the College Football Playoff after an excellent regular season with the Buckeyes. Before transferring to Ohio State, Howard wasn’t a quarterback who was seen as a surefire draft pick, instead perhaps an undrafted free agent. Now, he’s off to the NFL […]
Ohio State QB Will Howard bumped his stock up with a terrific run in the College Football Playoff after an excellent regular season with the Buckeyes.
Before transferring to Ohio State, Howard wasn’t a quarterback who was seen as a surefire draft pick, instead perhaps an undrafted free agent. Now, he’s off to the NFL and shouldn’t be any worse than a fourth-round pick.
With Howard gone after just one year as a graduate transfer, Ohio State hands the offense to a new quarterback for a third straight year. Sophomore QB Julian Sayin is widely expected to be the next guy in line.
“Julian coming in he’s a little soft-spoken guy, he’s quiet, but now it’s his time,” Howard said at the NFL Scouting Combine on Friday.
Sayin decided to transfer to Ohio State along with Caleb Downs and C Seth McLaughlin last offseason. As a true freshman, the 6-foot-1 quarterback appeared in four games and had one passing touchdown with 84 passing yards.
“He’s got a real chance to be elite, man. I’m excited for him. He’s definitely stepping into that leadership position. I’m excited for him to take on that new role. He was a little soft-spoken at first. But now, this is his sophomore year,” Howard explained. “I'm excited for him to take that step, really be that leader for the team.”
Sayin is not the named starter yet as Ohio State will hold a competition like they’ve always done under Ryan Day for the most part unless a QB was returning. Lincoln Kienholz is set to battle it out with Sayin in his junior season. Freshman newcomer Tavien St. Clair may have the highest ceiling in the room, but he’s likely taking a back seat for the time being until it is his turn.
All three quarterbacks had a good mentor in 2024 with Howard leading the room. All season, Ryan Day and the offensive assistants preached to the leader that Howard was in the locker room and huddle.
“I hope I left some nuggets with them, and at the very least how to treat people, and work hard. All those different things. I’m rooting for those guys man, I’m pulling for them. We still stay in contact. I’m going to be pulling for the Buckeyes big time next year.”