Ohio State Transfer QB Will Howard Late-Round Projection

Ohio State quarterback (QB) Will Howard brings experience to Ohio State after playing four seasons at Kansas State.

However, that’s the nice thing about studying a full season of game film of Howard with the Wildcats.

I have a good idea of what Ohio State is getting.

No doubt, Howard has some desireable traits, things that NFL teams look for, but he has a few ingrained things that will be tough to work out of him no matter what helmet he’s wearing.

First, the positives

Howard has good size and raw arm strength. He is also tough and competitive.

These are all great developmental traits at the next level.

He’s also well-built and he can take off and run for nice chunks of yardage. Likely, Howard will never run away from an NFL defense, but he can pick up needed yardage. Last season alone, Howard carried the ball 81 times.

I can see this prospect being a late-rounder for a playoff-contending team with a strong running game and an established starting QB. He’s the backup type who needs a big time supporting cast and if he had that, he could come in and manage a game(s) if he had to.

From what television analysts said in the clip below, he’s got a couple of other qualities that would make him a good fit in a backup role.

What’s holding Howard back?

Inconsistency. He’s not a natural looking passer.

This was a sub-60% completion percentage QB for three out of his four seasons at Kansas State, and he barely climbed up above that mark last season (61.3%).

His inconsistencies can be traced to his habits in the pocket. It starts with him often looking too slow and methodical when it comes to setting up and his throwing mechanics.

The NFL is about QBs who can get the ball out of their hand between 2.36 – 3.23 seconds (Next Gen Stats in 2023).

Howard, at the college level, clocked an average of 2.75 seconds according to Pro Football Focus ⎯3.33 seconds under pressure.

This inconsistent time to throw from the pocket will be a hindrance in the NFL.

Dangerous passes

Nothing will keep Howard on the bench faster in the NFL than his nasty tendency to throw some ‘what were you thinking passes.’

I’m not making this stuff up.

2023:

• 10 interceptions (tied for the seventh most in FBS)
• 33 Passes Broken Up in 12 games that I charted (2.75 per game average).

Somebody turn down the heat

Howard is inconsistent when the pass rush is in his face.

I didn’t like how he responded in 4th quarter game situations against Texas (L 33-30 OT), Missouri (L 30-27), Oklahoma State (L 29-21), or Iowa State (L 42-35).

He also ‘ironically’ transferred to Ohio State after Kansas State freshman QB Avery Johnson started coming on strong.

#18 Will Howard 6-foot-5, 242 pounds

Daniel Kelly’s 2024 Summer Grade: Sixth-Round (I wouldn’t select him)

Projected by 0% of the NFL Draft Community to be a first-round pick as of June 16, 2024 (nflmockdraftdatabase.com)

2023 game film reviewed: Texas, Missouri, Kansas, Troy, SE Missouri, Oklahoma State, Iowa State, UCF, TCU, Texas Tech, Houston, and Baylor (click to view games watched to form this evaluation)

2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report

Tough prospect with raw tools. Inconsistent rhythm. Specializes throwing from unique drop points in the pocket. Creates throwing lanes and takes extra time to do it. Inconsistent progressions and footwork. Rigid and elongated throwing mechanics. Inconsistent ball placement short, intermediate, and deep. Tries to drive and steer the ball relying too much on his upper body at times which results in overthrows. Best when setting his feet and makes quick throwing decisions with natural follow-through from a clean pocket. Deceptively athletic and mobile. Sees the field well. Spreads the ball around. Downfield focused. Able to throw it away sometimes under pressure. Has some improv. Deep passing game 10/26 (38.4%). More value as a runner than a passer.

What to watch for during the 2024 college football season

1. Time to throw?

2. Throwing dangerous passes?

3. How does he look under pressure (versus pass rush and when the game is on the line)?

Daniel Kelly is a former NFL Scout with the New York Jets. He was hired on the regime which featured Bill Parcells, Bill Belichick, Scott Pioli, Mike Tannenbaum, and Dick Haley. He is currently the Editor-in-Chief for First Round Mock, and has written for Sports Illustrated (Lions, Jets, and 49ers), NFL Draft Diamonds, and Yardbarker, as well as a featured guest on ESPN Radio and Fox Sports Radio. For more information about him visit his website at whateverittakesbook.com. Follow on Twitter @firstroundmock.