Will Howard opens up on transfer to Ohio State, acknowledges rivalry with Michigan

One of the top NCAA transfer portal quarterbacks has finally made a decision, with Will Howard landing at Ohio State via Kansas State. Howard was a popular name on the open market. Miami and USC were in the running as well, with visits being taken to all three.

Ultimately, Howard knew playing for Ohio State was an opportunity he had to take. The Buckeyes are truly one of the sport’s biggest programs and have a proud tradition. Howard has to get a taste in his final season of college football.

“I’m glad I took my time with this decision,” Howard said via ESPN’s Pete Thamel. “Through it, I got to learn a lot about myself and college football in general. It was a great process. I’m really glad I ended up choosing Ohio State.

“I knew if that if I passed this up, I’d regret passing up the chance to go be the quarterback at Ohio State. I knew I’d be kicking myself if I passed up this opportunity.”

Howard told Thamel that Ryan Day played a huge role in the decision as well. The two apparently instantly clicked when Howard visited campus.

There is still work to be done, though. Howard is looking to elevate not just the team but himself as a quarterback. Playing in the NFL is the ultimate goal and few coaches have produced quarterbacks in the past like Day.

“The goal I have, I want to go win a national championship,” Howard said. “At the end of the day, I want to go be a starting quarterback in the NFL…I feel like the best place to stick as a quarterback in the NFL is as a first or second-round pick in the NFL Draft. Going to Ohio State gives me a chance to make a jump and leap into that conversation.”

Ohio State has a great tradition of sending quarterbacks to the NFL, especially under Day. Justin Fields and CJ Stroud wound up being first-round picks after successful careers in Columbus. Back when Urban Meyer was the head coach and Day served as the OC, Dwayne Haskins was the ninth overall pick.

Howard could be the next man up with a successful 2024 season with the Buckeyes.

Will Howard understand importance of Michigan rivalry for Ohio State

The NFL is the long-term goal for Howard but if he’s going to spend one year with Ohio State, he may as well do it right. Howard mentioned winning a national championship is the ultimate goal but in the past, Day has mentioned there is a process to it all.

First comes beating Michigan, winning a Big Ten title is next, and then Ohio State can go out and hoist the College Football Playoff Trophy.

Howard is already locked into the first step of the plan, calling Michigan “That Team Up North” during his interview. And after three straight losses to the Wolverines, he could be the quarterback to end the longest losing streak Ohio State has had in the rivalry since 1997.

“That game means so much,” Howard said. “The pressure is on. Beating that Team Up North is priority No. 1 on the way to the national championship and all our other goals. That’s huge and it’s everything when it comes to playing for Ohio State. I know the implications and what it means to the fan base and everyone in the program. That’s the Team Up North now.”