Ryan Day explains how Will Howard has to earn starting spot

Starting spots at Ohio State are earned, not given. Standout transfer quarterback Will Howard won’t receive any special treatment. On Tuesday, Ohio State head coach Ryan Day revealed how Howard can earn the coveted QB1 title.

“You don’t just walk into Ohio State — and I have said this before — and just think you’re gonna go become the starting quarterback. It doesn’t work that way,” Day told the press. “There’s just too much pride here. What [director of football sport performance] Mick Marotti and our strength staff do here in the offseason, there’s just a lot that comes with it.

“You don’t just show up in the weight room and then go home. There’s a lot of accountability that happens and our guys take a lot of pride in that. There’s only one way to [earn a starting spot]. That’s to earn it through respect.”

If starting spots were handed out based on accomplishments alone, Howard would have been the team’s QB1 the day he stepped on campus.

Howard touts a 14-11 record in 25 career starts at Kansas State. His best season came this past fall, throwing for 2,643 yards, 24 touchdowns and 10 interceptions while completing a career-high 61.3% of his passes. He boasts 5,786 passing yards, 48 touchdowns and 25 interceptions in his career.

Will Howard faces stiff competition in QB room

While former starter Kyle McCord transferred to Syracuse, Ohio State’s quarterback room is still loaded. Along with Howard, Ohio State has redshirt sophomore Devin Brown, who was a former five-star prospect.

Additionally, the team added freshman five-star recruit Julian Sayin and first-year four-star Air Noland. Of course, Ohio State’s QB unit also still includes second-year talent Lincoln Kienholz, who received significant minutes in the Buckeyes’ loss against Missouri in the Cotton Bowl.

In other words, Howard has his work cut out for him. Nonetheless, this harsh reality isn’t news to the transfer quarterback.

“Will came here to play football,” Day said back in February. “I hope that’s his mentality and I hope all the guys have that mentality so you know, he’s gonna learn the offense and get going but he’s done a great job so far with the feedback a big part of the quarterback play here is what goes on in that weight room with Coach Mick. The leadership, the way that guys work, you have to build credibility amongst your teammates. That’s a big part of it.”