Will Howard starting to assert himself in Ohio State's quarterback competition

With less than a month until the 2024 campaign begins, Will Howard is pulling away in the Ohio State quarterback competition. In a conversation with On3’s Andy Staples, Lettermen Row’s Spencer Holbrook broke down Howard’s recent surge in the battle for the starting spot.

“He seems like the guy,” Holbrook said. “First of all, he’s down 15 pounds. He was — I believe they said 249 — he’s down to 233, 232, in that range right now. So, he looks like a trimmer quarterback than even the people with Kansas State probably know him as.

“He said that he put on a little bit of portal weight in that month that he was in the transfer portal. So, that was a little bit of a funny moment for him. But he’s starting to assert himself in the weight room. He’s starting to assert himself in the locker room, and then It’s all kind of translated to the field.”

Howard certainly didn’t lack motivation. While former starter Kyle McCord transferred to Syracuse, Howard’s competition for the starting spot behind center is still stiff. 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 this offseason. 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.

Holbrook believes Howard stands out among the talented quarterback room.

“He’s throwing the ball more decisively,” Holbrook said. “He’s got more what Ryan Day called ‘command of the huddle’ because they’re doing some huddling here in the preseason. He’s taking control in the run game, as well. I think he looks pretty good and pretty fluid there, but that was to be expected.

“The deep ball still need a little bit of work, but he is starting to assert himself. By all accounts, he had a good scrimmage on Saturday. What we’ve seen of him through five open practices that we’ve got the watches as a media contingent, I thought he looked pretty good. And, he’s really starting to solidify himself as as the guy.”

Howard has been the guy before. Howard touted a 14-11 record in 25 career starts at Kansas State. His best season came last year when he notched 2,643 passing yards, 24 touchdowns and 10 interceptions while completing a career-high 61.3% of his passes.

Surrounded by outstanding talent at Ohio State, Will Howard will look to reach new heights. Ohio State will kick off its 2024 campaign in a showdown against Akron on Aug. 31 at 3:30 p.m. ET. The game will be broadcast on CBS.