Will Howard came to Ohio State as a transfer looking to take his game to the next level, and he’ll leave it — at worst — as a participant in the CFP National Championship. His rise in the college football scene has been nothing short of dramatic.
The former Kansas State Wildcat, now shining under Chip Kelly at Ohio State, has declared for the NFL Draft. Pat McAfee believes that Howard’s announcement is not getting the hype it deserves.
Pat McAfee Hypes Ohio State’s Will Howard After 2025 NFL Draft Declaration
The Buckeyes quarterback turned heads in the 2024 campaign, registering 3,779 passing yards, 33 touchdowns, and a 72.6% completion rate. Howard has proven he’s more than capable of leading on the big stage. Yet, as the 2025 NFL Draft nears, McAfee is scratching his head over Howard’s projected Day 3 status.
“Everybody’s talking about Shedeur (Sanders), Jalen Milroe, Quinn Ewers, Cam Ward,” McAfee said. “Nobody’s talking about Will Howard except for us. And I didn’t talk about Will Howard all year.”
The former Indianapolis Colts punter raved about Howard’s leadership and versatility, highlighting his ability to thrive in Kansas State’s run-heavy offense and adjust seamlessly to Ohio State’s approach under Kelly.
“Kansas State, he was running all over the place. 6’3, 240… I like this guy,” McAfee said. “I like him a lot… I think Mel Kiper is projecting him to be in the fourth round. I am baffled by that, especially with what he’s been doing on the biggest stages that you can get in college ball.”
The Buckeyes’ quarterback excelled statistically and embraced the pressure of leading one of college football’s most storied programs. His performance against Michigan, despite the loss, gave a sneak peek into his poise and determination. Howard addressed people underestimating him for the NFL, saying,
“Obviously, people say things and it feels like I just keep getting — you know, nobody really wants to give me any credit, but, you know, I love that,” Howard said. “Keep it coming, man. As much motivation as I can get, I’m going to take and I love people challenging me.”
"Nobody wants to give me any credit, but I love that, keep it coming."
Will Howard says he tries not to listen to the outside noise doubting him, but he does hear some of it and it motivates him.
He said he loves the challenge and it allows them to play pissed off with a chip. pic.twitter.com/eb20sDFhkY
— Adam King (@AdamKing10TV) January 15, 2025
His role in Ohio State’s championship run makes Howard’s draft projections even more puzzling. He could achieve something that even past Buckeyes stars like Justin Fields and C.J. Stroud didn’t—bringing home a national title.
NFL teams like the Colts, Miami Dolphins, and Cleveland Browns could be ideal landing spots for Howard. Miami might view him as insurance for Tua Tagovailoa — who ranked eighth among passers by PFN’s QB+ metric — while Indianapolis could use him to challenge Anthony Richardson (37th in QB+). Meanwhile, Cleveland’s ongoing quarterback woes make Howard a low-risk, high-reward option.
As the draft season heats up, Pat McAfee has made one thing clear: Will Howard deserves more respect. He’ll have the championship game against Notre Dame and the rest of the pre-draft cycle to earn it.