Ohio State QB transfer Will Howard explains why he chose the Buckeyes
Ohio State hasn’t used the NCAA Football Transfer Portal to add talent quite as aggressively as some of its peers, but the Buckeyes have targeted a few key positions in recent years. This offseason, it was quarterback, where Ryan Day and Co. were looking to upgrade the room after the departure of starter Kyle McCord.
The Buckeyes looked at a number of different options, but over the weekend landed Kansas State transfer Will Howard, who will have one year of eligibility left with OSU. Howard helped lead the Wildcats a top-20 ranking in the final AP poll, but was looking for a new opportunity after the season that better showcased his talents.
On Monday, he explained why he felt that place was Ohio State.
“I really just wanted to go somewhere I felt could elevate my draft stock and compete for a national championship,” he told On3’s Hayes Fawcett. Everything at Ohio State just made sense and lined up.”
Howard brings a dynamic dual threat to Buckeyes’ offense
The 6-foot-4, 235-pounder apparently felt his skill set wasn’t best used in Kansas State’s offensive scheme, which ranked No. 54 nationally in pass attempts per game this season and No. 97 in 2022.
Howard has been a dual-threat playmaker during his four seasons in Manhattan, throwing for nearly 5,800 yards and 48 touchdowns despite a variety of injuries. Potentially his biggest addition to Ohio State’s offense — which they didn’t have this season — is his rushing ability and playmaking skill set while scrambling.
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This past season, Howard rushed for more than 350 yards and nine touchdowns on just 81 attempts with the Wildcats. Compare that to McCord, who finished with -65 rushing yards on 32 attempts in his lone season as the Buckeyes’ starter.
Howard’s rushing ability, combined with new Ole Miss transfer running back Quinshon Judkins and potentially returning back TreVeyon Henderson, could give Ohio State one of the country’s most dynamic backfields if all are able to stay healthy.
In three seasons with the Buckeyes, Henderson has totaled better than 3,300 all-purpose yards and 37 touchdowns. Judkins, who recently entered the portal after two seasons with Ole Miss, has rushed for than 2,700 yards and 31 touchdowns in two seasons with the Rebels.