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Ryan Day 'excited' about Will Howard, Pittsburgh Steelers fit

IMG_0985by: Griffin McVeigh05/07/25griffin_mcveigh
Syndication: The Columbus Dispatch
Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day celebrates with quarterback Will Howard (18) following the 28-14 win over the Texas Longhorns in the Cotton Bowl Classic College Football Playoff semifinal game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on Jan. 10, 2025.

Will Howard finished his college career at Ohio State and will begin his NFL playing days not too far away. Howard was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, potentially being a developmental project for the franchise. Especially for a team with not too many answers regarding their long-term quarterback plans.

Plenty of people like how Howard fits with the Steelers, including Ohio State head coach Ryan Day. Talking with ESPN’s Heather Dinich, Day spoke on his excitement for Howard at the next level. Not many NFL organizations are run as well as Pittsburgh, and Day is happy that a stable environment will be there for the quarterback.

“It’s exciting, man, to see him go there, for their need, for their situation, it’s a great opportunity for him,” Day said via ESPN. “You just get to the point where you just get stressed out because you don’t know where it’s going to be. You see these other guys getting drafted and just want to know where you’re going to be. So I know those were a long couple days for him, but ultimately, a lot of relief knowing he’s going to a great organization.”

Howard is a Pennsylvania native — born in West Chester and playing his high school football at Downingtown (PA) Downingtown West. It’s around 275 miles away from Pittsburgh and just over a four-hour drive. The family will be able to attend plenty of games.

Outside of having a slight connection to the area, Howard will enter the offseason as the young quarterback competing for a spot on the Steelers roster. The Aaron Rodgers saga continues on for the moment, not knowing if the future Hall of Famer will play for them next season.

If Week 1 were this upcoming Sunday, Mason Rudolph would likely be the starter. Skylar Thompson, a former teammate of Howard at Kansas State, is with the organization as well.

Howard played this past season for Ohio State at an incredibly high level. Of course, the Buckeyes went on to win a national championship with his guidance. A lot of adversity struck along the way too, pushing through and claiming the ultimate prize.

Day believes Howard can eventually play one day in the NFL. These kinds of prospects usually need to find the right situation in order to have success, and Day thinks the Steelers line up well for Howard.