Scarlet Sunrise: Will Howard named to Davey O'Brien Award watch list
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Will Howard named to Davey O’Brien Award watch list
Ohio State hasn’t even named a starting quarterback for the upcoming season just yet. But the folks creating the preseason award watch lists are quite high on the favorite to win that job.
The watch list for the Davey O’Brien Award, given annually to the top quarterback in college football, was released Thursday. And former Kansas State quarterback Will Howard, who transferred to Ohio State this winter, is on the watch list.
Yes, Howard hasn’t been named the starter for the Buckeyes, but folks around the country expect Howard to be in contention for the award. Howard has been a star in college football for years, especially after he had 33 total touchdowns for the Wildcats before transferring out following last season. Howard previously won a Big 12 title with Kansas State back in 2022.
Howard is one of two Big Ten quarterbacks on the watch list, joined by Penn State’s Drew Allar.
No Ohio State quarterback has won the award since Troy Smith in 2006. He’s the only Buckeyes quarterback to win that award.
Howard will attempt to become the second.
Full coverage of latest at Buckeyes training camp
Ohio State had Monday off after practicing four straight days to end last weekend. But the Buckeyes were back to work on the practice field at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center on for three straight days to get into the heat of training camp. They’ll be back at it Friday, too, before a closed-doors scrimmage on Saturday.
Following Thursday’s practice, Lettermen Row and the rest of the Ohio State media were able to speak to head coach Ryan Day to update the team’s progress.
We’ve got full coverage below.
Defense wins the day: Observations from Buckeyes seventh practice of training camp
WATCH: Ryan Day press conference after seventh practice of training camp
READ: Confident Will Howard has ‘taken command of huddle’ as QB battle continues
ICYMI: Emeka Egbuka on watch list for Biletnikoff Award
Another day, another preseason award watch list for Ohio State superstar wide receiver Emeka Egbuka. And this is a big one.
A year after former Buckeyes wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. won the award, Egbuka is on the preseason watch list for it. He’s the only Buckeyes receiver to be included — Carnell Tate, Brandon Inniss and freshman Jeremiah Smith were not.
Egbuka was previously named to the preseason watch lists for the Hornung Award, given annually to the most versatile player in college football, as well as the Walter Camp Player of the Year award and the Maxwell Award, each of which are given out to the most outstanding player in the country by different organizations.
Bottom line: expect the senior receiver to be a star this year after a 2022 season that saw him go over 1,000 receiving yards and a 2023 campaign that was cut short by injury.
This year, he might even be the best pass-catcher in college football.
Counting Down
Buckeyes vs. Akron: 22 days
Buckeyes vs. Michigan: 113 days
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