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Ryan Day Gushes Over New Ohio State QB Will Howard

Originally posted on FanNation Buckeyes Now
By Cole Thompson | Last updated 2/7/24

Will Howard still has to win the starting job for Ohio State, but he's won over Ryan Day before even taking a live rep in the Scarlett and Red.

Howard, who joins the Buckeyes after a four-year stay with Kansas State , is the hopeful missing link in securing a win over Michigan and into the postseason. Yes, Devin Brown, Lincoln Kienholz and blue-chip freshmen Julian Sayin and Air Noland remain in the hunt for the title of QB1.

Day, however, couldn't stop listing the positives that the 6-5, 242-pound quarterback provides.

“I like his competitiveness,” Day said Wednesday during Early Signing Period. “I like his toughness. (Strength coach) Mick (Marotti) would tell you he sees that every day in the weight room right now."

Howard might have left Manhattan to pave the way for Avery Johnson to start, but he's a proven winner. He guided the Wildcats to their first Big 12 title since 2003 over eventual national champion runner-up and undefeated TCU. He picked up over a dozen wins and threw for over 4,000 yards.

But Howard wanted a chance to up his level of competition. It's not a shot at the Big 12 or his former team. Far from it actually, but to make it to the next level, one has to beat the best.

Right now, that's Michigan, which secured its first national title a little over a month ago for the first time since 1997. Day believes that Howard has the chops to do it. Why?

He's done it before.

“He’s a guy who’s won the Big 12 championship," said Day. "He was a field goal or whatever away from beating Texas this year. He’s got a mature approach about him.

“He’s got the ability to throw the football. When he needs to run, he can run. He’s big. You see the size when he gets up on you. So there’s a few things you really grab onto (that impress).”

Howard leaves a program that's gone 27-13 over the previous three seasons. He joins another that's made the College Football and lost six combined games during the same span.

But Howard said he felt the move was needed. He's already become acquainted with life at the Woody Hayes Athletic Complex. He's built a rapport with his new teammates.

Howard knew there'd be pressure going to a place like Ohio State. All those concerns, however, have ceased.

“When I came in and met these dudes that are projected first-round draft picks coming back, and they could have their heads as big as this room, but they all are just — they’re here to win,” Howard said. “And they’re here because they love the Buckeyes. And it’s really a cool thing to be around that.”

Day's comments only strengthen his confidence.