Will Howard on choosing Ohio State over NFL Draft: 'I just felt like the opportunity was too good'

After deciding to leave Kansas State following the 2023 season, Will Howard had winnowed down his choices for the future to two options: He could transfer to Ohio State or declare for the 2024 NFL Draft.

Speaking with reporters in Columbus recently, the Buckeyes quarterback explained how he landed on sticking around for one more year of college. And the biggest thing for Howard, who hopes to make it as an NFL starting quarterback, was having more time to raise his draft stock.

“For me, it was like, I looked at the starting quarterbacks in the NFL, the vast majority of them are drafted in first, second round,” Howard said. “So I felt like if I — last year I was projected third, fourth, fifth, sixth. So I was like, ‘You know, if I can give myself a chance to get into that Day 1 conversation.’ Ultimately my goal is to be a starter in the NFL, so I was going to take that and come to Ohio State. It was a no brainer, after I talked to coach [Ryan] Day. I was a little uneasy but he talked to me and through that experience really gave me some good tidbits and I felt really comfortable with it.”

That said, the decision for Howard was pretty close to going the other way at various points.

“For me, at the end of it, it really came down to — it was between the draft and Ohio State. I had a Senior Bowl invite,” Howard said. “I told Jim Nagy I was very close to going that route, but I decided actually to go to Ohio State. I just felt like the opportunity was too good.”

Howard raved about his new weapons at Ohio State

On National Signing Day this past year, Ryan Day breathed a sigh of relief when he learned Jeremiah Smith signed his National Letter of Intent. The Five Star Plus+ wide receiver was the crown jewel of Ohio State’s recruiting class and had potential to be the latest in a line of talented players at the position.

Smith was the top player in the country from the 2024 recruiting cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. A product of Chaminade-Madonna Prep (Fla.), he was one of the only players ranked by all four major recruiting media companies as a five star.

Through the offseason program, Howard got a close look at Smith’s potential. While speaking at the Manning Passing Academy held at Nicholls State University in Thibodaux, La., the Kansas State transfer added to the excitement about what Smith brings to the offense.

“Pretty unbelievable,” Howard said of the Ohio State wide receiver room. “That true freshman, Jeremiah Smith, he’s gonna be special, man. Between him, Emeka [Egbuka], Carnell [Tate], those three are probably the featured guys.”