Former Ohio State standout Will Howard faced a chorus of boos and jeers at the NFL Scouting Combine this weekend as he gears up for the 2025 Draft. The 23-year-old chose to showcase his throwing skills in front of the cameras at Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday, where numerous NFL scouts were present to evaluate the quarterback prospects.
Howard is considered one of the top talents in his class this year, having guided Ohio State to its first College Football Playoff title since 2015.
Despite only joining Ryan Day’s team last year, Howard played a pivotal role in the program’s 2024 triumph, particularly during its journey to the National Championship game. He completed 75.3 per cent of his pass attempts (82 of 109) for 1,150 yards and eight touchdowns with two interceptions, leading OSU to four CFP victories.
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It was an ideal conclusion to his final college season, and now he’s setting his sights on an NFL career after declaring for this year’s draft.
Participating in the Combine in Indianapolis, Howard did nothing to harm his prospects, executing several sharp throws that earned commendation from analysts and spectators alike. However, there were also boos echoing throughout the stadium whenever Howard threw a pass during his session, especially when he threw an incompletion. Regrettably for the star quarterback, that’s the downside of signing with Ohio State just a year ago.
The NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, home turf for the Indiana Hoosiers, might seem like hostile territory for an Ohio State player due to the fierce college football rivalry. But for Howard, it was just another stage to showcase his skills, even with the backdrop of this sports tension.
Will Howard participated in throwing drills during the NFL Scouting Combine on Saturday
“I heard them, I heard them,” he chuckled during an interview with NFL Network after wrapping up his throwing session. “Ohio State travels. We’re loved and we’re hated.”
While Howard’s outing at the combine was mostly impressive, he didn’t shy away from acknowledging the areas needing improvement. Despite delivering some sharp throws, the Kansas State graduate also had a few off-target attempts, which he admitted in his post-workout talk.
“I felt decent,” Howard confessed. “I’m my own biggest critic, so I feel like there were some things I could clean up. But overall, I think I showed that I can spin the ball with the best. And I felt good about it. And I think my footwork was pretty solid. And I’m excited for my pro day to show that I can spin it a little more.”
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Looking ahead, Howard is set to further impress at Ohio State’s pro day on March 26, where he’ll have the comfort of passing to his former Buckeyes teammates. With a season of strong performances behind him and the distinction of being a national champion, he’s got plenty of momentum as NFL scouts keep a keen eye on his progress.
“Honestly, I think my game translates really well,” declared Howard with confidence. “I think I’m a pro-style quarterback. I can make every throw. I feel like I’m a pretty cerebral guy. I understand the game better than a lot of people. And I’m competitive as hell. And I think I’m a good leader.”
“Whatever locker room decides to pick me, I’m going to come in with a humble but hungry attitude and be ready to work, gain the respect of everyone in that locker room and just bring a positivity and a light. And I just like to always be chill and enjoy it because this is what I wanted my whole life. And it’s kind of surreal.”
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