Ohio State QB Will Howard named as a 2025 NFL Draft riser after picking Indiana apart
The 2025 NFL Draft is nowhere near a priority for the Ohio State Buckeyes and their fans right now, but that doesn't mean the league isn't watching carefully. The Buckeyes destroyed the No. 5 Indiana Hoosiers on Saturday, capping off their efforts with one final score in the waning moments to make it a 38-15 […]
The 2025 NFL Draft is nowhere near a priority for the Ohio State Buckeyes and their fans right now, but that doesn't mean the league isn't watching carefully. The Buckeyes destroyed the No. 5 Indiana Hoosiers on Saturday, capping off their efforts with one final score in the waning moments to make it a 38-15 win. While it was a team effort where the defense and special teams stole much of the show, credit has been shown to the offense as well.
For as exciting as Caleb Downs' punt return was, or the increased aggressiveness from the Buckeyes' defense, senior quarterback Will Howard earned his flowers. Completing 22-of-26 attempts for 201 yards, two touchdowns, one interception, and rushing for one score, Howard was brilliantly efficient. And that's been the case throughout the season.
It was such a good showing that I named Howard as a riser for the 2025 NFL Draft at The 33rd Team.
While I featured three others with longer descriptions, Howard earned an honorable mention. It's the first time in my weekly take that Howard made the cut, though he's been excellent in his lone season with the Buckeyes. He's leading the country with a 74 percent completion rate and is top in the Big Ten with 26 touchdowns thrown.
Despite this, Howard is rarely featured in 2025 NFL mock drafts. Howard looks the part of an NFL quarterback, standing 6-foot-4 and 230 pounds, but he doesn't have an overly strong arm or three-level accuracy. However, I think overvaluing his limitations is a mistake.
Howard transferred to Ohio State from Kansas State with hopes of boosting his NFL stock. A fringe draftable player after four years in Manhattan, Howard has firmly earned a draftable grade this season as a future backup. His gamer mentality and toughness have repeatedly brought examples of an individual who can get over mistakes quickly and lead an efficient offense when the unit needs steadying.
Howard's ability to keep Ohio State moving without compounding mistakes is one factor that has allowed the team to overcome severe offensive line injuries. His accuracy and timing working with the team's excellent receivers is another. Up to 20 yards, Howard is money far more often than not, and the team's quick game on conversion downs has vastly improved from where it was in 2023.
Then, there's the swag factor that Howard has crushed. Mitigating the energy and confidence he exudes would be a major mistake for analysts.
The 2025 quarterback class doesn't have a ton of star power at the top but it is deep with seniors who can profile as potential backups. Given Howard's excellent ball placement on shorter routes, comfort working in a timing-based offense, confidence to try difficult throws, and running ability in short-yardage situations, he should garner Day 3 consideration.
Can he still improve his defensive reads and avoid ugly interceptions? Absolutely. His deep passing mechanics are inconsistent and sometimes horrific. However, Howard has shown more than enough to still be seen as a long-term backup who can play in a pinch and contribute.
