Ohio State has named Will Howard as its starting quarterback for the 2024 season, the team announced on Thursday. Howard, a transfer from Kansas State, was widely expected to win the starting job due to his significant experience, making him the clear frontrunner among five contenders.
“We’re really excited about Will,” said Ohio State coach Ryan Day in a statement released on social media. “He has really taken command of the offense.”
Howard brings a wealth of experience from his time at Kansas State, where he started multiple games over the past three seasons. His most notable achievement was leading the Wildcats to their first Big 12 championship since 2012 with an upset victory over TCU in 2022. Over his 34 career games, which included 28 starts, Howard completed 59% of his passes, amassing 5,786 yards, 48 touchdowns, and 25 interceptions.
After entering the transfer portal, Howard received interest from several major programs but ultimately chose to join Ohio State. The Buckeyes, known for their high-powered offense, are entering a new era with Chip Kelly as the offensive coordinator.
Howard is expected to adapt well to Kelly’s system, which has a history of utilizing quarterbacks in the run game, a departure from Day’s typical reliance on pocket passers, apart from Justin Fields.
In his final season at Kansas State, Howard demonstrated his versatility by rushing for 351 yards and scoring nine touchdowns on the ground, bringing his career total to 19 rushing touchdowns. While Howard may not possess the elite arm strength that Day has favored in the past, his accuracy and decision-making skills could be key assets, especially with talented receivers like Emeka Egbuka and Jeremiah Smith at his disposal. Efficiency in the passing game may take precedence over deep throws in the new offense.
Although Howard has secured the starting role, the backup quarterback position remains uncertain. Devin Brown, who served as the backup last season, is the leading candidate but struggled in his Cotton Bowl start against Missouri, where he threw for just 20 yards on six attempts before suffering a lower-body injury. Meanwhile, Julian Sayin, who transferred from Alabama, has reportedly impressed in practice, which could complicate the depth chart for Air Noland and Lincoln Kienholtz, whose eligibility overlaps with Sayin’s. The competition for the backup spot is still ongoing, and it’s unclear who will ultimately secure the role.
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