Will Howard makes a telling revelation about transferring to Ohio State and becoming a Buckeye that shows just how tough it was
Howard is loved in Columbus but the acclimation was tough for him at Ohio State.
The Ohio State Buckeyes had a big decision to make at quarterback following the 2023 season, when Kyle McCord entered the transfer portal. McCord ended up at Syracuse, while the Buckeyes brought in Will Howard from Kansas State. It turned out to be a rare case where the transfers worked out well for all sides.
McCord boosted his draft stock with a productive 2024 season at Syracuse, while Ohio State’s choice to add Howard helped them win a national championship. Still, Howard admits the transition wasn’t easy. Now with the Pittsburgh Steelers, he recently opened up about how tough that move was.
Will Howard makes surprising admission about his transfer to Ohio State
Howard was asked about the jump from college football to the NFL, but he said that the leap wasn’t as difficult as moving from Kansas State to Ohio State. The difference in competition was striking.
“For me, I think a bigger difference in speed was going from K-State to Ohio State,” Howard admitted on the Downs 2 Business podcast. “That jump from Ohio State to here, I don’t think was as drastic, honestly, as that jump from K-State to Ohio State. Because really, if you look at it, we were playing against NFL guys every single day. Our defense last year, I think, had 12, 13, maybe 14 NFL dudes all on one team.”
Howard appeared in 34 games at Kansas State, throwing for 5,786 yards with 48 touchdowns and 25 interceptions. In his lone season in Columbus, he passed for 4,010 yards, 35 touchdowns, and just 10 interceptions. While the talent around him was certainly a step up, Howard also improved as a quarterback. His leadership — one of his greatest strengths — shined through with the Buckeyes.
Currently with the Steelers, Howard is on injured reserve with a broken bone in his hand. Once healthy, he is expected to serve as the No. 3 quarterback behind Aaron Rodgers and Mason Rudolph. Ohio State undoubtedly prepared Howard for the NFL, and Buckeye Nation will be behind him throughout his career after his memorable one-season run in Columbus.
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It was a big decision for Ohio State.
