Ryan Day describes how Will Howard has grown as a leader in postseason

Ryan Day recognizes Will Howard has shined when the lights have been the brightest for Ohio State, leading them to two resounding wins in the College Football Playoff thus far.

The Buckeyes quarterback had a solid regular season, but he’s really passed the ball well in their wins over Tennessee and Oregon, and now he’s preparing for the Semifinals at the Cotton Bowl against the Texas Longhorns. It’s Howard’s leadership that’s caught Day’s eye though, as he’s turned it up a notch over the past month and change.

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“I think, even for somebody who’s, you know, experienced like he is, and you know, with his age, you still, you know — you’re in a different school, you’re in a different program, you’re in a different offense, and playing within the offense, and being here now for the number of games that he’s played, he’s learned a lot about himself, but he’s also learned a lot of the offense, and he grown into the offense, and I think he understands that his job is to be the number one leader on the team and on the field, and that the team is going to take on his personality, but in terms of the football on the field, I think he’s done a great job off the field of grasping the concepts,” Day stated, regarding his quarterback via a press conference ahead of the Cotton Bowl.

“He’s put a lot of work in with Chip [Kelly] [and with Billy [Fessler]. You know, when you know the first couple words come out of a play, he could finish it for you. And that’s when you know he knows exactly what’s going on. He makes sure everybody’s on the same page. When you’re in a huddle, you can communicate a lot of information. Situation, you know, down, distance, score — all those things that come into play. And so, I think that’s been important.

“I also think his footwork has improved. I think when his footwork is on time, and he’s able to go time some things up, in terms of his play-action and drop back passes, you’re seeing them play, you know, really good football, making good decisions and throwing the ball accurately.”

All told, it’s been a bit of a rollercoaster season for Will Howard and Ohio State, but they seem to have figured out the correct game-plan moving forward. They’re the favorite of many to win the national title this January, and if their quarterback continues his exceptional play, Ryan Day could be delivering a trophy to Columbus at the end of it all.