Former Kansas State quarterback Will Howard has chosen his next team.
Howard announced he will attend Ohio State University next season after spending four years in Manhattan, Kansas.
The senior was weighing his options on whether to turn pro or use his final year of eligibility.
Howard visited Miami and the University of Southern California, but ultimately felt Ohio State was the right fit for him.
“I’m really glad I took the time to make this decision.” Howard told ESPN.. “Through that, I was able to learn a lot about myself and college football in general. It was a great process. I'm really glad I chose Ohio State in the end.
“I knew that if I passed on this, I would regret passing up the chance to be quarterback at Ohio State. I knew that if I passed on this opportunity, I would blame myself. Ta.”
The signal-caller is coming off his best statistical season in 2023, completing 61.3 percent of his passes for 2,643 yards, 24 touchdowns and 10 interceptions for the Wildcats.
Howard was named to the All-Big 12 second team for his performance.
In 34 games over four years with the Wildcats, Howard threw for 5,786 yards and 48 touchdowns.
He was rated the No. 6 quarterback in the 247Sports transfer portal.
This move likely means the Buckeyes have found their next starting quarterback, barring something unforeseen happening before next season.
Ohio State has quarterback options in Cotton Bowl starter Devin Brown and freshman Lincoln Kienholtz, but Howard brings veteran experience to the position in 2024.
Howard views his decision to go to Columbus as an opportunity to play on a team that can compete for a national championship.
It also gives them the opportunity to increase their draft stock before they graduate from college.
Howard has never been shy about his end goal of making it to the NFL, and after some conversations he was told he is projected to go somewhere between the late second and fourth rounds this year. .
He believes joining the Buckeyes will give him a chance to improve his draft position.
“Going to Ohio State gives me a chance to jump and jump into that conversation,” Howard told ESPN.
Ohio State has a history of successfully sending quarterbacks to the pros, including current Rookie of the Year candidate CJ Stroud.
Howard added that he also feels positive about head coach Ryan Day's system.
“When Coach Day and I met and we started planning, I was a total football nerd and we talked all day long,” Howard said. “We just kind of hit it off like that. We knew that was the system that would best prepare us for that level.”
He joins an offense that ranks among the best in the Big Ten in 2023 with 407.9 yards per game.
