So far this season, quarterback Will Howard has been exactly what Ohio State has hoped for when they got him out of the transfer portal from Kansas State. Of course, there is a whole lot of ball left to play and anything can happen.
Howard has helped the Buckeyes to an 8-1 record to this point and they are in a great spot at No. 2 in the country. The loss to Oregon is one that Ohio State may get a chance to have redemption in the Big Ten championship.
Despite having a pretty solid season, Howard is not one of the Heisman Trophy favorites to this point.
“I try not to think about that stuff. I’m not worried about it,” Howard said when asked if either he or any of his teammates deserved the Heisman. “As long as we’re winning football games and the Buckeyes are scoring points [then] I’m happy. I think all that stuff kind of takes care of itself. If you focus too much on individual statistics, then a lot of things get cloudy.”
On the season, Howard is completing 74 percent of his passes for 2,237 passing yards, 22 touchdowns, and just five interceptions. The senior quarterback has added 122 rushing yards and six touchdowns on the ground.
“I’ve always been a believer in if you take care of the things that matter, then the individual accolades and all that kind of stuff will come,” Howard stated. “The more I focus on my teammates and being the best teammate I can be – being the best player I can be for my teammates, being the best leader I can be – then things like that may come into consideration. But I’m not worried about it.”
"As long as I'm playing good football, grading out a champion and taking care of the football, that is all I'm worried about"
— Adam King (@AdamKing10TV) November 12, 2024
Will Howard isn't thinking about the Heisman conversation.
He says if you take care of the things that matter, the individual accolades will come pic.twitter.com/FbMBiT3WNc
Ohio State has not had a Heisman winner since Troy Smith won it back in 2006. The Buckeyes have had players like C.J. Stroud and Marvin Harrison Jr. make it as finalists recently.
Howard has the perfect approach to not being a favorite for the Heisman. Currently, Howard has the 12th-best odds to win the trophy, according to FanDuel. Freshman wide receiver Jeremiah Smith is the other player listed in the odds for the Buckeyes. Buckeye Nation will appreciate that team-first approach that their quarterback has.
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