“It’s when you tee up the driver and it feels real nice, 300 down the middle.” Will Howard grinned after slinging a championship-clinching 56-yard dart to bury Notre Dame, his voice dripping with the swagger of a QB who’d just rewritten Ohio State’s destiny. But while Buckeye fans chanted “HOW-ARD! HOW-ARD!” in confetti-filled euphoria, another voice was already betting big on the kid’s future—one with a familiar flair for headline-grabbing hyperbole.

Enter President Donald Trump, trading political rallies for draft takes: “Ohhh he’s gonna be so rich.” Five words, zero chill. The former president’s viral prediction dropped like a mic at a MAGA rally, turbocharging Howard’s already-skyrocketing stock. And why not? The 23-year-old transfer—4,010 pass yds, 35 TDs, 10 INTs in 2024—isn’t just a stat monster; he’s a walking underdog anthem.

From Kansas State benchwarmer to OSU’s first natty since 2014, Howard’s story’s so Disney it could star Tim Allen in shoulder pads. But NFL scouts aren’t buying fairy tales. They’re eyeing his happy feet under pressure, his “Third-team All-Big Ten?” chip, and wondering: Is this the next Josh Allen… or the next Tim Tebow?

Let’s rewind. Before Trump’s blessing, Howard was just a grad transfer with a 14-2 record and a “prove-it” deal in Columbus. Then came January 2025: 17/21 passes, 231 yds, 3 TDs in the title game, plus 57 yds scrambling like he’d stolen Lamar’s playbook. “Coming to Ohio was the best decision I’ve made,” he gushed post-game, sounding less like a QB and more like an infomercial for second chances. But Trump’s tweet? That’s the glitter on the grind.

From ‘underdog’ to Uncle Sam’s endorsement: Howard’s hustle

Now, four NFL teams are lining up like groupies at a combine. The Lions want him as Goff’s backup because Detroit’s QB curse is realer than a Shark Tank pitch. The Bills see him as Josh Allen Lite, a safety net for their Super Bowl-or-bust angst. The Raiders?

They’ve got his old OC Chip Kelly whispering and nudging a reluctant protege. And the Rams’ Sean McVay, QB-whisperer extraordinaire, is eyeing Howard as Stafford’s understudy—a role that’s basically ‘QB1 in waiting’ given Stafford’s AARP eligibility.

Howard’s response? “I’ve been developed here like I’ve never been developed before.” Translation: NFL, meet your newest redemption project.

Howard’s not selling arm strength; he’s selling vibes. The kid who once admitted, “I love being the underdog,” now has Trump anointing him America’s Next Cash Cow. It’s The Wolf of Wall Street meets Rudy—if Rudy had a 175.3 passer rating. But let’s get poetic: In a league obsessed with Mahomes’ magic and Allen’s chaos, Howard’s appeal is his Everyman grit. He’s the QB who looks like he’d help you move a couch, then drop a TD dime on 3rd-and-long.

The Lions? They’re dreaming of a quarterback who won’t fold under Ford Field’s fluorescent glare. The Raiders? They’re betting Kelly can rekindle that K-State magic Vegas-style. And McVay? He’s already plotting how to turn Howard’s “chip on my shoulder” into a Hollywood script. “Boom, roasted,” as Michael Scott would say—because even NFL scouts appreciate a good Office meme.

So here’s the snap: A president’s prophecy, four franchises frothing, and a QB whose resume screams, ‘I’ll outwork your doubts.’ Whether Howard becomes a rich man or just a rich meme, one thing’s clear—his story’s just getting to the good part. 🏈🎩