As the college football season is ending, there is a big question that surrounds fans and even athletes. No, it’s not only about losing and winning but also about the eligibility status of Ohio State players. The hopes and following the passion and profession might be ending for some, while a few of them might get transferred to another team.

It’s not just game time; for the standout athletes like quarterback Will Howard and Ohio State star wide receiver Emeka Egbuka, it’s about the legacy, strategy, and prospects. If it’s thought like it is supposed to be, these players’ success or failure could reflect the success of their teams. Let’s learn about the eligibility and how far Ohio State players have come.

Eligibility Status of Will Howard

Earlier in 2024, Will Howard, the former quarterback for Kansas State, switched to Ohio State. The 22-year-old played for the Buckeyes for the first time in the Big Ten Conference, and this was his last year of eligibility for college football. After the current season, he will be declared for the NFL draft 2025. What about Will Howard’s college career?

He hails from Downingtown West High School and joined the Wildcats as an early enrollee in 2020. His Freeman season?? Howard served as a backup quarterback to Skylar Thompson and got the opportunity to begin the last seven games because Thompson got injured. How did his season end?

His season ended tallying 1178 passing yards and eight TD passes. In his previous season, he was named QB1 of the team and led the Wildcats with an overall 9-4 campaign along with a Pop Tart Bowl victory over NC State.

Emeka Egbuka’s eligibility status

Emeke Egbuka passed the NFL draft eligibility in April 2024 only, but he decided to return to Buckeye for his senior year. NFL rules? According to the NFL rules, players must have been out of high school for at least three years to declare for the NFL draft. Earlier last year, Egbuka had graduated from high school after three years.

In January 2021, Egbuka enrolled early at Ohio State, skipping his senior year at Steilacoom, which had been rescheduled for the spring because of COVID-19. He caught nine passes for 191 yards in 11 games during his rookie season. In addition, he was named an honorable mention All-Big Ten Conference player and returned 20 kickoffs for 580 yards. Egbuka had over 1,000 receiving yards in 2022 as a sophomore.

Josh Simmon’s eligibility status

Josh Simmons has declared that instead of returning for his final year of eligibility, he will enter the 2025 NFL draft. Prior to the 2024 season, Ryan Day claimed that 85 players were on scholarship; however, Ohio State did not specify which walk-ons were selected as scholarship players.

According to reports, in August, former walk-on wide receiver David Adolph was put on scholarship. The scholarship grid no longer includes players who have declared their intention to use the transfer portal. When did he join Ohio State? American football offensive lineman Simmons transferred to Ohio State University in 2023. He defeated Tegra Tshabola for the starting left tackle position prior to the 2023 campaign. Simmons submitted his 2025 NFL draft declaration on December 4, 2024.