Will Howard describes what makes Ohio State different: 'I don't feel like I have to be a hero here'

Will Howard hasn’t been named the starting quarterback at Ohio State yet, but he’s already receiving QB1 attention, and that’s largely because he’s a graduate transfer with 27 career starts and a Big 12 title under his belt. But, also, it’s partly because every Buckeyes signal caller is in the spotlight.

That’s just the way it goes in Columbus.

When asked about the difference between Ohio State and Kansas State Tuesday after training camp, Howard admitted that “everything’s heightened here” and that he can “feel the eyes a little bit.”

“I think the one thing I would say is that I don’t feel like I have to be a hero here,” Howard continued. “And I feel like I have the guys around me to where I just need to facilitate and just get them the ball and make good decisions. At the end of the day, I don’t have to go out there and do anything superhuman. I just have to be myself and trust the guys around me.”

For one, Howard has an arsenal of receiving options: senior Emeka Egbuka — who needs 78 receptions and 1,042 receiving yards to become the all-time Buckeyes leader in those categories — sophomores Carnell Tate and Brandon Inniss and phenom freshman Jeremiah Smith come to mind first.

But those aren’t the only “guys” Howard’s talking about.

“Going through camp and through spring ball, going against his defense every single day is a blessing, man. I know it sucks at times, and I’m sitting here like, ‘Geez, in a game, that guy’s not gonna be guarded like that, that’s just [cornerback] Denzel [Burke] being a dude, or IGB (cornerback Davison Igbinosun) making a really good play.’ But that’s real, and that is gonna happen.

“We’re gonna play some really good defenses. I think we’re playing one of, if not the, best defense in the country every single day, and that’s just making me and us better.”

Reflecting on where he’s grown and where he can still improve this offseason, Howard discussed how he’s done a pretty good job protecting the football in camp. Decision-making is key for the dual-threat K-State grad transfer who scored 33 total touchdowns but threw 10 interceptions in 2023.

Howard has taken a step forward in terms of his accuracy and zip, as head coach Ryan Day said earlier this week, however, the fifth-year quarterback has been inconsistent with his deep ball throwing so far at Ohio State. Howard talked about that Tuesday, noting that he wants to get more air on those passes.

“Those are just a couple things that I’ve thought about personally,” Howard said. “But I think one of the bigger things is what are we doing as a team.

“Obviously, I’m thinking about myself and how I can be better. But the bigger thing is, how can we be better as a team? And how can I facilitate that being the quarterback?”