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Ohio State Quarterback Will Howard Makes Decision On Senior Bowl

Originally posted on The Spun | By Chris Rosvoglou | Last updated Jan 24, 2025 1:55 PM ET

When the Senior Bowl kicks off next week, NFL fans shouldn't expect to see Ohio State quarterback Will Howard on the field.

Howard had an incredible 2024 season with the Buckeyes, completing 73.1 percent of his passes for 4,010 yards with 35 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He really elevated his play in the College Football Playoff, throwing just two interceptions during the most important four-game stretch of his career.

NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah believes Howard boosted his stock during the CFP. He told Pat McAfee, "He's right on the borderline of a top-50 pick for me at this point in time."

Unfortunately for NFL evaluators, they're not expected to get a close look at Howard in Mobile next week. Dane Brugler of The Athletic said Ohio State and Notre Dame players aren't expected to play in the Senior Bowl. To be fair, they've just completed the longest season in college football history.

"Due to the extended season and playoffs for both Ohio State and Notre Dame, several players will not be playing in the Senior Bowl next week," Brugler said. "Among them: Will Howard, Xavier Watts, Donovan Jackson, Jack Sawyer, Ty Hamilton."

Howard's stock is definitely on the rise, but it's unclear if he'll do enough to become a Day 1 pick.

Ohio State coach Ryan Day gave his quarterback a glowing review earlier this week, calling him a "special" player who'll immediately help out an NFL team.

"When Will's feet are right, he is as good as anybody I've been around. His accuracy, his ability to see the way he commands the team, the work he puts in," Day said. "I think the thing that nobody is probably going to understand how much credit he deserves is how much he can take on. I don't think there was — to say 90 percent of the calls that went in the other day had two or three plays into it, and he's calling a play or two in the huddle and then checking the play at the line of scrimmage, that's NFL material right there. That's special. Whichever organization decides to draft Will is going to get, like, a pro day one he's walking in the door."

Even though Howard won't compete at the Senior Bowl, he'll get to showcase his skills at the NFL Combine and Ohio State's pro day.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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