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Will Howard delivers farewell message to Ohio State fans after national championship

Grant Grubbs Profile Pictureby:Grant Grubbs•01/31/25•

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Will Howard by © Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Ohio State QB Will Howard (© Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

With no remaining eligibility, Ohio State quarterback Will Howard is expected to enter the 2025 NFL Draft this offseason. However, before entering the next chapter of his life, Howard reflected on his past year with the Buckeyes.

“I believe that everything in life happens for a reason and that God has a plan for all of us, and I am eternally grateful that my plan led me here to the Ohio State University,” Howard said in a video he posted to X. “When I first came here to Ohio State, I had dreams of competing for a national championship, developing as a player, and hopefully going on to the NFL. Little did I know, walking away from this experience, I’d get so much more.

“… Thank you, Coach Day, for believing in me when not a lot of others did. Thank you, Coach Kelly, for pushing me to be the best that I can be every single day. I’ve got to give so much credit to those two guys, and Billy Fessler is one of the guys that doesn’t get a lot of credit too. He did an unbelievable job developing me this year.

“Thank you to all the other coaches and staff that helped in my development here at The Ohio State University. Finally, thank you to Buckeye Nation for embracing me from Day 1. Thank you for taking me in and embracing me as one of your own. I will be a Buckeye for life.”

Howard transferred to Ohio State ahead of the 2024 season after spending four years at Kansas State. In his lone season with the Buckeyes, Howard amassed 4,010 passing yards and 35 touchdowns while only throwing 10 interceptions.

Howard’s arm wasn’t his only threat. The 6-foot-4 QB also racked up 226 yards and seven TDs in the ground game this past season. Most importantly, Howard led Ohio State to its first national title since 2014, and he did it in style.

After Ohio State fell to Oregon early in the season and Michigan in its regular season finale, many college football fans counted out the Buckeyes. Nonetheless, Howard never gave up and ultimately led his team to glory.

The Buckeyes’ postseason run did wonders for Howard’s draft stock. In ESPN analyst Mel Kiper Jr.’s latest NFL Draft Big Board, he ranked Howard as the No. 6 quarterback entering the 2025 NFL Draft.

Perhaps Will Howard can bring similar success to an organization at the next level. The NFL Draft will take place from April 24-26 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin.