Ohio State star quarterback Will Howard on National Championship MVP Award: 'It should have been him!'

The Ohio State Buckeyes are National Champions, and the aftermath of their 34-23 win against Notre Dame has brought plenty of action to dissect. One of the most memorable moments on the podium after the game was when quarterback Will Howard earned the Offensive Player of the Game Award. Howard capped off an amazing season […]

Ian Valentino National College Football Writer
Add as preferred source on Google
Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Will Howard (18) and quarterback Devin Brown (33) walk off the field following the 34-23 win over the Notre Dame Fighting Irish to win the College Football Playoff National Championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Jan. 21, 2025. © Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Ohio State Buckeyes are National Champions, and the aftermath of their 34-23 win against Notre Dame has brought plenty of action to dissect.

One of the most memorable moments on the podium after the game was when quarterback Will Howard earned the Offensive Player of the Game Award. Howard capped off an amazing season with the Buckeyes by totaling 231 passing yards and 57 rushing yards. But Howard felt the award should've gone elsewhere.

"It should have been him. He had three touchdowns!", Howard said and repeated as he stood next to Quinshon Judkins. 

The star running back enjoyed a breakout performance after a quiet few games as TreVeyon Henderson enjoyed his time in the spotlight. Judkins racked up 100 yards and two touchdowns and added 21 receiving yards and another score.

Howard wanted Judkins to be the offensive MVP, showing his humility and leadership in the moment.

It's hard to say Howard is wrong, but I think he did more than enough to carry the Buckeyes to a win. While Judkins' hard runs and 70-yard gasher that all but sealed it for Ohio State until a late push from Notre Dame were meaningful, Howard controlled the game in a masterful way.