Ohio State’s QB1, Will Howard, has put in the work needed to earn the trust of head coach Ryan Day. Following the Buckeyes’ spring game in mid-April, the coaching staff outlined a clear offseason plan for the transfer quarterback from Kansas State. Day emphasized the need for Howard to deepen his understanding of the team’s offensive system. Meanwhile, new offensive coordinator Chip Kelly focused on refining Howard’s mechanics. Director of sport performance Mickey Marotti issued a challenge for Howard, who stood at 6-foot-4 and weighed 242 pounds last season, to transform his physique during summer strength and conditioning sessions.
Howard’s inconsistent performance during the spring left an opening for his fellow quarterbacks in a competitive five-man race, with rising junior Devin Brown as his main competitor. Coaches noted that if Howard could make significant improvements in his understanding and mechanics, he would be well-positioned for the upcoming fall camp, a critical period leading to the season opener against Akron on August 31.
“Coming off the spring, everything was very new,” Day remarked, highlighting the substantial shifts in scheme and quarterback responsibilities.
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Howard’s rapid and significant improvements prompted Day to conclude the quarterback competition halfway through training camp, nearly a month earlier than last year’s contest between McCord and Brown. During a news conference, Day stated that Howard had graded out “significantly ahead” of the other quarterbacks after evaluating his performances from spring and the first two weeks of preseason, totaling around 28 practices. This performance led to Howard being officially named the Buckeyes’ starting quarterback over Brown.
“Will has taken control of the team in the last four or five days,” Day noted, adding that this development was not surprising to anyone in the locker room.
Howard’s vast experience became a decisive factor in his favor, making it challenging for Ohio State’s other quarterbacks to compete. During his time at Kansas State, he accumulated over 1,800 snaps, while the other four scholarship quarterbacks on the Buckeyes’ roster combined for just 164 snaps: Brown (104), Lincoln Kienholz (60), Julian Sayin (0), and Air Noland (0). The previous season, the lack of experienced quarterback play contributed to the team’s struggles, as McCord fell short of the high standards set by former stars C.J. Stroud and Justin Fields.
“Where he is now is pretty impressive,” Kelly remarked. “He has experience; he’s been in the huddle during many games, including significant ones. While Columbus is new to him, college football is not. His experience began to shine through during camp, and I’m excited to see his progress.”
The roadmap established in April has come to fruition, with Howard exceeding expectations.
“His work ethic has been a significant factor,” Day stated. “He arrives early, puts in the effort, studies film, and comprehends the schemes and route structures. He has also performed well in the run game.
“Playing in this offense means making decisions on almost every play as a quarterback. There are few moments to simply hand the ball off and relax. While we try to do that occasionally, it’s rare. He can handle this responsibility well, and his preparation for the preseason is evident.”
