During an appearance on the Pat McAfee Show on ESPN after winning the National Championship, Ohio State quarterback Will Howard revealed he was also considering Miami and USC before signing with the Buckeyes during the 2024 winter transfer portal window.
Howard committed to Ohio State on Jan. 4. Miami received a commitment from the top QB in the 2024 transfer portal, Cam Ward, on Jan. 13. The decisions worked out well for both schools. Howard accomplished the goals he set to complete at Ohio State and Ward became a Heisman Trophy finalist for Miami.
Before transferring to Ohio State, Howard was a part-time starter at Kansas State from 2020 to 2022, playing in all 12 games in 2023. In four seasons at Kansas State, Howard completed 58.8 percent of his passes for 5,786 yards, 48 touchdowns, and 25 interceptions. He also rushed for 921 yards and 19 touchdowns.
Howard significantly improved his numbers in one season at Ohio State. In leading Ohio State to a 14-2 record, Howard completed 73 percent of his passes for 4,010 yards, 35 TDs and 10 interceptions with 226 rushing yards and another seven scores. Howard managed an Ohio State offense with elite talent around him.
Will Howard said he was considering Miami before signing with Ohio State
"At first, a bunch of people started reaching out when I first entered, but it really came down to really Miami, USC and (Ohio State). And when I was looking at it, the two things I said I wanted to do was compete for a natty and elevate my draft stock. There was no place that came close to that in terms of either of those things like Ohio State."Ohio State quarterback Will Howard
Howard significantly improved his NFL Draft stock with the run to the National Championship. On Dec. 9, the NFL Mock Draft Database listed Howard as the No. 226 2025 prospect. The most recent update on Wednesday lists Howard as the No. 91 overall prospect. That projects Howard as a late third-round pick.
Ward also significantly upgraded his draft stock. After being projected as a day-three pick in 2024, Ward is now the consensus No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Mock Draft Database. Howard and Ward both gave their programs seasons to remember as they begin preparing for the NFL Draft.