Former KSU QB Will Howard to OSU

Submitted by Communist Football on January 4th, 2024 at 6:39 PM

According to a random ESPN person without much journalistic credibility, but still.

Former Kansas State quarterback Will Howard tells ESPN that he’s committed to Ohio State. Howard led KState to the Big 12 title in 2022 and gives the Buckeyes one of the most talented and experienced available QBs on the market. “When I started talking to Ohio State, everything kind of lined up,” Howard told ESPN. “I had a list of things I was looking for, in terms of needing to go somewhere where there was a lot of talent around me and……compete for a national championship.” The Ohio State staff evaluated all of the top portal quarterbacks and arrived with conviction that Howard was the best among them, as they valued his arm strength, experience and dual-threat ability.

 

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Bill22

January 4th, 2024 at 7:36 PM ^

Ohio State should have begged McCord to stay if Cryan Ryan didn’t actually have anything to do with running him off.  I thought McCord was solid all season.  He was and is not CJ Stroud, but who is?  Stroud is going to be the Offensive ROY in the NFL this year.

Joined: 09/07/2016

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bronxblue

January 4th, 2024 at 6:44 PM ^

Maybe he's better than McCord but a lot of guys in the portal just turn into serviceable players at new stops especially if they're only there for a year.

 

Joined: 11/22/2008

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UMinCincy

January 4th, 2024 at 6:47 PM ^

Seeing as they originally didn't want a transfer QB, then went after Cam Ward, and only landed on Will Howard after those options fell through, I find it interesting that so many people have such high hopes for this move - especially when there is probably a reason why Howard was the only high-profile QB left without a team

Joined: 12/24/2021

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meeashagin

January 4th, 2024 at 7:43 PM ^

Exactly, it was Devon Brown, then Cam Ward so it does appear they've settled.

The bowl game vs Missouri coupled with McCord's development opened up a whole new can of worms that I never thought existed. I always assumed Day was an excellent QB coach/developer but after going from 2, 5 stars with multiple years in your system to washing out both for an overachiever in Howard is shocking.

They should have a great defense next year but with that oline/QB combo I believe they'll struggle again to score.

I don't see Day at OSU beyond next year if he doesn't beat Michigan. Most OSU fans are calling this a make or break year... pressures mounting.

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bdneely4

January 4th, 2024 at 8:00 PM ^

One thing Day has learned is all the Ohio State fan base needs is an excuse to justify any type of failure because they could never be the issue. 
 

- it was too cold in 2021

- the defense was too aggressive in 2022

- Michigan stole our signs which is why they won

- we almost beat Georgia so we must actually be good and have only played one bad half

- McCord is terrible

Until they actually take accountability for things, they will never be a different team than what we have seen the last 3 years as long as Ryan Day is their head coach. 

Joined: 01/06/2009

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Amazinblu

January 4th, 2024 at 8:38 PM ^

If I may.. what are you talking about?

Do you even understand what “talent” means?  The Buckeyes were clearly the more talented team - they HAVE been more talented and, deserved to win.  So many people fail to understand this.. playing an actual game means nothing.  Paying prospects via the traditional brown bagging method or NIL is WHY players love OSU - and, why they should be given a “win” without having to play a real game.

In ‘21 - Buckeyes 3rd in talent - Michigan was 15th, 

In ‘22 - Buckeyes were 3rd, Michigan was 13th,

In ‘23 - Buckeyes were 3rd, Michigan was 14th.

It was not only the weather in ‘21 - the snow.  It was cold and windy.  Certain players had “boo boo’s”.  And, please don’t forget - the flyover Michigan had was loud and scared a lot of players on the roster.

In ‘22 - the Buckeyes prepared for cold conditions - but, it was too sunny and warm.  In fact, a few players needed to drink water / energy drinks because the warm temperatures caused perspiration.

Michigan has clearly been outplayed by the Buckeyes; however - very few Michigan fans even realize this.  Just look at the recruiting ratings.

And, talk about “smart” NIL - JC Stroud and a Mercedes G63.  Maserati Marv.. well what do you think? They are cruising around on sweet wheels.    Michigan players are using their NIL to provide Thanksgiving dinners, school supplies, donations to Mott’s, Christmas toy drives, etc.  

Michigan is “blue collar”, while Buckeyes strut on turf with Apple iWatches and Louis Vuitton shoes.

The Buckeyes are so obviously ahead of Michigan in everything except the actual “W-L” record the last few games - and, it’s only been about 1,500 days since the Bucks beat Michigan in an actual game.

Oh, that “hang a hundred”… You might wonder.. why haven’t the Bucks put up a combined 100 points in the last three games combined?   Well, that’s simple - our players didn’t come an University of Ohio State to play school - and, we’re still working with a few players to be able to count to one hundred.  Don’t worry - we expect them to be able to count that high within two or three more years.  And - do you know what a perfect GPA is.. yes, it’s 0.0.. unblemished.  The Bucks have players with that.. Michigan doesn’t… 

When will Michigan realize how dominant the Buckeyes really are?

Joined: 01/22/2010

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MGoGrendel

January 4th, 2024 at 6:47 PM ^

…gives the Buckeyes one of the most talented and experienced available QBs on the market.

Kind of a back handed compliment.  “After all the other top QB’s got snatched up once the portal opened, including Honda McCord, ol Will from KSU was the next available.”

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Jordan2323

January 4th, 2024 at 6:51 PM ^

If JJ comes back this doesn’t move the needle, except he’s a little more mobile than McCord. If JJ doesn’t come back, it could help them quite a hit next year, especially since the game is in the Shoe 

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MGlobules

January 4th, 2024 at 7:14 PM ^

Yes. They have two other QBs who will vie for the job, with the incoming freshman a promising talent, IIRC. But the idea that McCord wouldn't be better in a second go round is nuts. The truth is that they ran off McCord, and are unlikely to have replaced him with better.

Joined: 11/17/2008

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EikMelynai

January 4th, 2024 at 6:54 PM ^

McCord: 229 for 348 (65.8%), 3,170 yards (9.1 per completion), 24 TDs, 6 INTs, 161.6 rating

Howard: 219 for 357 (61.3%), 2,643 yards (7.4 per completion), 24 TDs, 10 INTs, 140.1 rating

 

Howard is not as good as the guy they ran out of town.

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LDNfan

January 5th, 2024 at 3:08 AM ^

Neither will Howard.  Granted he will be surrounded by better talent but no one in that lockerroom is stepping in as the next MHJ. 

 

To me the key is actually Henderson if he returns.  A talented, veteran RB can take a lot of pressure off a QB. Combined w a mobile QB and he should have a monster season...and another loss to UM.

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blueheron

January 4th, 2024 at 7:10 PM ^

Not exactly a vote of confidence for the QBs currently on the roster. (There's also incoming recruit Air Noland.) A quick review:

You might say that OSU doesn't start QBs with only two years in the program, but McCord did just that this past year. C.J. Stroud was ready to go after just one year.

Interesting. OSU fans may come unglued if they see Howard's recruiting profile (https://247sports.com/Player/will-howard-46056477/high-school-218794/).

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MH20

January 4th, 2024 at 7:12 PM ^

I don't think this is a great move from either side given OSU's current offensive philosophy. He'd be a great QB in Meyer's run-heavy system, but for what Day wants to do (throw the ball 60-65% of the time), I'm kind of skeptical.

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MGoBoz

January 4th, 2024 at 7:13 PM ^

It’s telling that he says he’s transferring there because of what it offers him, not what he could bring to them, of which “an upgrade at QB” it clearly is not.

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Perkis-Size Me

January 4th, 2024 at 7:27 PM ^

Is he really an upgrade over a Kyle McCord? I don’t see how he is.

OSU ran a guy out of town who went 11-1 as a starter and only lost by 6 on the road to the # 1 team in America, and on the final drive after driving to plus territory. Now you’re dealing with a guy who by my estimation is essentially the same QB, except now you’re dealing with transition costs of learning a whole new system.

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Double-D

January 4th, 2024 at 7:52 PM ^

Maybe Day realizes he can’t beat Minter with his current approach.

He needs 5* NFL caliber QBs and he still can’t get it done.

Could he be thinking he needs a running QB to crack the code?

More than anything it seems he is grasping at straws.

His handling of McCord could have been a serious mistake. 

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OuldSod

January 4th, 2024 at 7:35 PM ^

I think Howard would be a good fit in Michigan's offense. I struggle to see him running OSU's offense unless they shift to QB runs and power. 

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Logan88

January 5th, 2024 at 6:02 AM ^

Agreed.

I actually liked Howard as a possible transfer to UM as I think he is better than anyone UM has on the roster other than JJ but I don't see him lighting it up at OSU.

I think he'll put up pretty decent numbers just from being in OSU's system and throwing to their litany of 5* WRs but I would be shocked if he was better than McCord 2023.

 

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RobM_24

January 4th, 2024 at 7:39 PM ^

It's a good pickup. Just like Sam Hartman was a good pickup for Notre Dame last season. But just like ND found out, a good pickup doesn't make your team great unless everything else is in place. 

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