Will Howard needs no formal introduction anymore. The Ohio State quarterback who will start for the Buckeyes this season has already made quite a name and fame in the college football circuit. Howard, who entered the portal earlier this year in January, had a stellar four-year career at Kansas State before he transferred to Ohio State.

A native of Downingtown, Pennsylvania, Howard was named the seventh-best overall prospect in the state of Pennsylvania in the 2020 recruiting class. Will Howard first made into the big headlines when he took the Wildcats to the 2022 Big 12 title. Howard, who got drafted for the 2024 NFL Draft, chose to play for Ohio State instead for his final year.

Buckeyes coach Ryan Day announced on August 15 that Howard would be the starting quarterback after months of competition with Devin Brown, Julian Sayin, and others in the preseason drills. Coach Day seemed confident about Howard as he praised the quarterback ahead of the season: “He has really taken command of the offense. You feel him in the huddle, you feel his experience.”

Day added, “He did a really good job of changing his body in the offseason, so he’s become a threat, both with his legs and with his arm.” With all the prepping and playing as the starter for the Buckeyes, while boosting his draft stock, the main question is whether the Buckeyes’ star QB will be ready to enter the NFL draft for the 2025 season. Here’s everything you need to know about Howard’s NFL eligibility. 

Will Howard is an exciting prospect for the 2025 NFL Draft

Will Howard played a crucial role as a starting quarterback for Kansas State where he started in 28 out of 34 games. A former three-star prospect, Howard is indeed a worthy NFL prospect for the 2025 NFL draft. With a sturdy and durable physical frame, the 6′ 4″, 237-pound player has the prowess to wreak havoc on the gridiron. However, Howard might not steal the limelight as one of the biggies, considering there are players like Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders, Texas’ Quinn Ewers, and Georgia’s Carson Beck, who have been consensus top players in the NFL Draft 2025.

But Howard can be a Day-3 pick, beginning his NFL career as the No. 2 QB. That, in fact, does not sound like a bad option, as Howard can continue developing his game under a veteran NFL QB. Howard’s already got a solid rep for his arm strength and that baseline velocity, especially when he’s slinging it in the short and mid-range. When the quarterback really gets into the game, driving across the gridiron with his hips, his velocity and a tremendous display of power can be seen. Howard is also quick to tweak his arm angle and adjust his throw to stretch those passing windows. Plus, for a guy his size, Will has good mobility, with just the right burst to dodge defenders and make those beautiful plays happen.

While not many NFL teams have an opening for a starting QB position for the 2025 season, Howard can be a good addition to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Bleachers’ Brent Sobleski noted that “considering the awesome surrounding cast that Ohio State currently features, Howard can post monster numbers and skyrocket up draft boards.” That’s very true as Howard can be a promising long-term quarterback for Pittsburg, as the Steelers’ quarterback situation is still blurry. With the latest season of college football beginning this week, the Buckeyes fans will surely be rooting for Howard and closely follow where the starting quarterback goes and does next.