Will Howard calls 2023 Kansas State 'one of the most talented teams' he's been around

Kansas State quarterback Will Howard aided the Wildcats to a Big 12 title last season but he’s not satisfied with ending on that note.

Howard and the rest of the Wildcats see more in 2023. Based on the talent assembled in Manhattan, Kansas, Howard thinks this team is even better than last year’s squad.

He explained when he joined Sirius XM’s Big 12 Radio.

“This year, I think the cool thing about what we have built here is that it really hasn’t changed,” Howard said. “That kind of underdog kind of mentality that we have will always be here. And, you know, we weren’t satisfied at all with what we did last year. It was tough losing that Sugar Bowl.

“You know, as much as we wanted to win that game, I think that was kind of a good reality check for us. We’re not where we need to be and where we think we can be yet. We have so much more that we can accomplish this year.”

Howard eventually stepped in for Adrian Martinez at quarterback last season. He finished the year with 1,633 yards, 15 touchdowns, four interceptions and a 56.6% completion percentage.

It was a vast improvement from 2020 as a freshman where he saw extended action and threw eight touchdowns compared to 10 interceptions.

As a senior, Howard is ready to rock and roll with Kansas State.

“So, I mean, we have one of the most talented teams I’ve ever been around,” Howard said. “And, you know, to be honest, I feel so good about what we can do. And the preparation that we put in up until this point has matched that and that’s the thing that’s so exciting for me is because we could have said, ‘Oh, we won Big 12 last year. We’ve kind of made it,’ but that’s not at all how we’ve attacked this offseason. 

What does raising the bar look like in 2023? It has to be winning the Big 12 again at minimum. Now whether Kansas State makes the College Football Playoff or makes it to a different New Year’s Six game and wins, remains to be seen.

“We said we’re gonna raise the bar, we’re gonna we’re coming for it all this year,” Howard said. “And that’s kind of how we’ve tried to attack this offseason. And you know, where our mindset is going into this year.”