Why Did Will Howard Transfer From Kansas State to Ohio State? Reasons Behind Buckeyes QB’s 2024 Portal Decision

Will Howard, the ace Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback, is no stranger to the college football fans. His career began at Kansas State Wildcats as a freshman in January 2020 and as a backup to the first-choice QB Skylar Thompson. A commitment that continued for 3 years until 2023; he has performed really great for the Wildcats. His 90 pass completions executed for almost 1200 yards and eight touchdowns promised a decent start in his first season.

Moreover, Howard stepped up as a starting quarterback several times in the three subsequent seasons following the injuries of the team’s starting QB, Adrian Martinez. His performance never dipped, with him notching up almost 4,000 yards on passes and 16 touchdowns in the subsequent seasons. It then was an obvious surprise when he decided to enter the transfer portal in Nov 2023.

Obvious questions were raised in the media about Will Howard’s abrupt decision to depart. However, there were also issues that Howard also talked about explicitly in the media. Nevertheless, his transfer was a combination of his aspirations to play for a team performing on the National stage. Considering he had only 1 year left on his eligibility. On top of that, he was never really guaranteed a first-choice quarterback spot on the team.

That became more difficult after the arrival of true freshman QB Avery Johnson, who was performing incredibly. It’s also not far-fetched to say that he had the NFL draft in his mind, and he was trying to make the most of his final year.

Howard talking to ESPN said on his transfer, “The goal I have, I want to win a national championship…at the end of the day, I want to go be a starting quarterback in the NFL…I feel like the best place to stick as a quarterback in the NFL is as a first or second-round pick in the NFL draft. Going to Ohio State gives me a chance to make a jump and leap into that conversation“. All things said, the transfer did come with its perks, as he reportedly gained a million-dollar NIL deal from the portal.

Howard’s run with the Ohio State.

Well, it seems like his transfer has paid him great dividends, too, as Ohio State will face Notre Dame in the Championship Final on 20 Jan. Ryan Day is looking to run back the Urban Meyer years in Columbus, Ohio, and he needed that final piece. Of course, he already had Emeka Egbuka and added Jeremiah Smith. Howard was what needed, and yes, some NIL money did help the program, but hey, who’s complaining?

As expected, things started on an iffy note for Howard. Getting in tune with Chip Kelly took time, and when that offense gets going, it’s a thing of beauty. Remember the playoff game against the Vols? or the Ducks? That’s the best of an offense led by Will Howard. Of course, there is also the Wolverines game, which Ryan Day wouldn’t want to remember as they go against a tough defensive unit of Marcus Freeman in the natty final.

The story of Will Howard and Buckeys is an unlikely and unexpectedly satisfying union of ambition and glory. And, if he brings his A-game into the final and leads Ohio State to the elusive Championship Trophy. It will become a story set in stone.