COLUMBUS, Ohio — Second chances are often rare. For Ohio State quarterback Will Howard, a victory against Texas in the College Football Playoff semifinals could erase years of disappointment. Having faced the Longhorns during his time at Kansas State, Howard remembers the sting of losing all three games he started against them, with a fourth loss from the sidelines.
“Personally for me, there’s definitely a little extra motivation there because I never got the chance to beat these guys,” Howard shared, reflecting on his struggles against Texas in previous seasons.
Now at the helm of Ohio State’s explosive offense, Howard has the opportunity to lead the Buckeyes to the national championship game in Atlanta, where they would face either Notre Dame or Penn State on January 20.
Texas defensive back Jahdae Barron commented on Howard’s development, acknowledging the stronger receiving corps he has at Ohio State compared to Kansas State. “That’s a strong kid. He’s a fighter. He’ll run the ball if he has to, and things like that. So it’s going to be a great challenge for us,” Barron noted, appreciating the challenges Howard brings to the field.
During his previous attempts against Texas, Howard stepped in as the starter for an injured Skylar Thompson in a significant 69-31 loss in 2020 and faced a narrow 22-17 defeat in 2021. In 2022, he watched from the sidelines as his team fell 34-27 to Texas. However, in their most recent matchup in 2023, Howard threw for a career-high 327 yards and four touchdowns, although they ultimately lost in overtime 33-30. “I don’t like how that one ended, and I’m excited to get another chance,” he expressed, ready to make the most of this opportunity.
Additionally, he will be quite familiar with AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, as he led Kansas State to an exhilarating 31-28 overtime victory over TCU in the 2022 Big 12 championship game.
After an impressive nine-win season in 2023, Howard opted to transfer. Although he considered pursuing the NFL draft, ultimately, he chose to enter the transfer portal, receiving interest from schools like Miami and Southern California. However, he found his calling in Ohio State. “I just felt like I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to come here and be a Buckeye and get a chance at winning a national championship,” he stated, emphasizing the importance of this moment in his career.
Coming from Downingtown, Pennsylvania, Howard was a three-star recruit in high school. Despite starting 27 of his 34 games at Kansas State and now standing as the starting quarterback for a prestigious program like Ohio State, he remains driven to prove himself. “I like to take on that underdog mentality a little bit, that chip on my shoulder,” he mentioned, embodying the spirit of determination.
Texas coach Steve Sarkisian praised Howard’s athleticism, recounting a memorable 71-yard touchdown run against the Longhorns in 2021. He noted that K-State’s multi-dimensional offensive system has prepared Howard well for his season under Ohio State offensive coordinator Chip Kelly. “He’s got intention. He’s got athletic ability. And then his ability to throw a catchable ball…his poise and composure in critical moments is something that has been very impressive,” Sarkisian remarked.
Ohio State coach Ryan Day acknowledged the challenges of a quarterback adapting to a new program and offensive system, particularly in their first year. “For Will, the more he plays at Ohio State in this offense with his teammates, he’s getting more and more comfortable with everything,” Day explained. He likened the learning curve to mastering a new language, emphasizing that full understanding leads to peak performance.
Under Howard’s leadership, the Buckeyes have secured five wins against teams ranked in the AP top 10, and he has thrown for an impressive 3,490 yards and 32 touchdowns this season. Notably, he is the only Ohio State quarterback to achieve a remarkable 80% completion rate in seven different games. “He’s an unbelievable leader, and we all lean on him. He runs this whole team, he knows that. We’ll go as far as he goes,” echoed receiver Brandon Inniss, underscoring Howard’s vital role in their success.
