Transfer Bio Blast: Will Howard

The first transfer portal window of the offseason does not open until Monday, but that is not stopping the action this week. Grad transfer can enter the portal at any point, and we are seeing that play out in the college football landscape. Some potential targets are emerging for Kentucky football.

On Tuesday, a big quarterback name emerged, and Kentucky was reported to be a potential landing spot.

Auburn, Kentucky, Louisville, Missouri, and Washington are possible destinations to watch for Kansas State QB transfer Will Howard, @PeteNakos_ reports.

Story: https://t.co/buiB7Qx55i pic.twitter.com/54RFWcqADn

— On3 (@On3sports) November 28, 2023

Kansas State quarterback Will Howard will end up being one of the top players in this transfer portal cycle. The super senior was a class of 2020 recruit who has one year of eligibility remaining. A legitimate dual-threat could bring a lot to his new offense.

KSR’s Transfer Bio Blast is now going to take a closer look at one of the top quarterbacks in the portal.

Revolving QB door at Kansas State

Will Howard was a three-star recruit in the class of 2020 out of the Philadelphia suburbs. The top-10 recruit in Pennsylvania received a ton of Ivy League interest along with Minnesota and Syracuse emerging as serious contenders. However, Kansas State would win out to give head coach Chris Klieman his first QB recruit in Manhattan.

COMMITTED 💜☔️💜 #GoCats #EMAW20 @CoachKli @ckleincat7 @CoachCRiles @CoachMessingham @spedbraet pic.twitter.com/VgR6npAbPF

— Will Howard (@whoward_) June 23, 2019

As a true freshman, Howard would immediately see playing time during the COVID-19 season. After starter Skylar Thompson was lost to injury, Howard started the final seven games of the season. Howard would again back up Thompson in 2021 and would see spot starter duty when K-State’s QB1 went down with injury again.

After the 2021 season, Thompson moved on to the NFL, and K-State brought in Nebraska transfer Adrian Martinez at quarterback. Another injury at quarterback gave Howard another chance and this time he didn’t give the QB job back. The junior recorded five starts and led the Wildcats to an upset win over undefeated TCU in the Big 12 Championship Game.

Howard entered the 2023 season as QB1 in Manhattan, but again, a two-QB system emerged. The senior started every game, but a platoon was used to get blue-chipper Avery Johnson on the field. Now Howard will be looking for a new home where he can be the clear No. 1 guy during his senior season.

Will Howard is a true dual-threat

Devin Leary was unable to provide Kentucky much in the run game. There is a thought that Kentucky could be looking at QB prospects that can make some plays with their legs whether in the traditional run game or on scrambles.

Will Howard checks that box.

The Big 12 transfer has accumulated 1,108 non-sack rushing yards during his four-year career at Kansas State with 19 rushing touchdowns. The 2023 performance was his best yet when Howard rushed for a career-high 421 non-sack rushing yards and nine touchdowns. Howard is a legitimate threat on the ground.

Will was cookin' #KStateFB 🛠 @whoward_ pic.twitter.com/bHpXdKNupv

— K-State Football (@KStateFB) November 26, 2021

The dual-threat quarterback provides value in the red zone in the designed run game and makes defenses respect zone read actions. Whatever team that adds Howard this offseason must take advantage of his dual-threat skill set.

KSR Scouting Notes

On Tuesday, KSR+ released our first big board of this year’s transfer cycle where we took a look at some of the available QB targets. Will Howard and Mississippi State transfer Will Rogers are two players that KSR has confirmed that Kentucky is showing interest in.

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Howard jumps out on tape due to his dual-threat skill set and the ability to stretch the field vertically.

• Scouting Report: Will Howard (6-5, 242) is a big quarterback with a big arm that can stretch defenses vertically. Throws the football with velocity and can drive throws down the middle of the field. Flashes good ball placement on throws of 20-plus air yards. A true red zone threat with his legs. Downhill runner with deceptive speed. An effective rusher on powers and draws.

Howard does not have Will Levis‘ arm, but he can be used the same way in the run game. The super senior shows good touch on vertical throws and enough velocity to hit crossers over the middle. Accuracy (58.8% career completion percentage) is a concern, but Howard has shown up big in big games and has led a top-25 offense two years in a row at Kansas State.

The transfer has NFL potential and could turn into a Day 2 draft pick with a strong season in 2024.