Ohio State quarterback Will Howard is leading the Buckeyes after playing his first four seasons with the Kansas State Wildcats. Let’s take a look at Howard’s performance in 2024, his projected landing spot in our latest mock draft, player comparisons, and more.
Where Did Will Howard Project in Our 7-Round NFL Mock Draft?
Howard is projected to be selected in the fifth round by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the latest mock draft from Pro Football Network NFL Draft Analyst Ian Cummings.
If Howard can keep improving his operational framework in 2024, there’s a chance he could field fringe-developmental starter consideration from NFL teams. And as it stands, he’s a quality mid-to-late-round option with immediate utility as a potential backup QB.
Potential NFL Landing Spots for Howard
According to PFN’s updated NFL team needs, the following organizations should prioritize quarterbacks in the 2025 NFL Draft.
- Buffalo Bills
- New York Jets
- Houston Texans
- Miami Dolphins
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Los Angeles Rams
- Minnesota Vikings
Howard’s Scouting Report
Let’s take a look at some of the key snippets from Cummings’s scouting report of Howard.
- Height: 6’4″
- Weight: 237 pounds
- Position: Quarterback
- School: Ohio State
- Current Year: Redshirt Senior
Entering the 2025 NFL Draft cycle, Howard grades out as a mid-to-late Day 3 prospect at the QB position.
With more growth at Ohio State in 2024, he could potentially rise into the early-round conversation, but Howard’s game needs more refinement in several areas before he can follow that path.
At around 6’4″, 237 pounds, Howard has good size and talent. For his build, he’s a good athlete with solid evasive ability and functional utility as a runner. And while his arm strength is only good at best, he has the arm elasticity to throw off-platform and widen angles.
Going further, Howard shows impressive feel and spatial awareness as a pocket navigator, and he flashes impressive discretion and situational precision on different kinds of throws. Beyond that, he also has good processing speed and anticipation.
For Howard, the question will be whether or not he can bridge the gap left by his non-elite talent with further operational development.
As talented as he is, Howard is not an elite creative threat, nor does he have an elite arm. And his accuracy, mechanics, and vision still stand to improve.
Howard’s 2024 Season Stats and Game Breakdowns
- Completions: 121
- Attempts: 165
- Yards: 1,574
- Percentage: 73.3
- Touchdowns: 14
- Interceptions: 3
- Rushing Touchdowns: 5
Howard has thrown at least two touchdowns in six of seven games this season and is on pace to set a career high. Last season, he threw 24 touchdown passes for Kansas State.
The Ohio State offense, led by Howard, has demonstrated the ability to propel the Buckeyes to the College Football Playoff, scoring at least 31 points in all seven games.
When Is Howard Playing Today?
Howard and the No. 4 Ohio State Buckeyes will host the Nebraska Cornhuskers on Saturday at Noon ET on FOX.
This marks Ohio State’s first game since their 32-21 road loss to the Oregon Ducks on October 12.
In this matchup, it’s clear that these two programs are on different tiers of the college football hierarchy. Despite occasional glimpses of potential, Nebraska’s offense remains among the weakest in the Big Ten. The Cornhuskers have relied heavily on their stout defense, as their offense has struggled, failing to reach 30 points in any game against Power Four opponents and averaging just 20.2 points per contest in those matchups.
Their recent offensive struggles have been particularly evident, with Nebraska managing just five touchdowns over their last three games and averaging under 2.5 yards per carry in each of the last two.