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Ohio State quarterback Will Howard 2025 NFL Draft Profile

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Ian Valentino | Last updated Jan 10, 2025 1:05 PM ET

Will Howard, QB

Height: 6'4"
Weight: 235 pounds
Age: 23 years old (September 24th, 2001)

Ohio State

Year	Completion %	Yards	TDs	INTs
2024	72.4%	3,483	32	9

Kansas State

Year	Completion %	Yards	TDs	INTs
2020	53.6%	1,178	8	10
2021	54.5%	332	1	1
2022	59.8%	1,633	15	4
2023	61.3%	2,643	24	10

Pros:

Confidence
Playing at Ohio State allowed Will Howard to operate in space with playmakers who got open quickly. His confidence in himself and his teammates at Ohio State was much more apparent than at Kansas State. This meant faster decisions and better mechanics. The improved results followed.
Field vision
There aren't many quarterbacks in the nation who saw the field better than Howard. Howard expertly navigated passing lanes despite a few predetermined mistakes throughout the year. Whether moving defenders, waiting for ideal leverage, or throwing into space, Howard avoids negative plays and consistently makes quality decisions based on both pre-and post-snap reads.
Gamer mentality
A good downhill runner with great size, Howard leaves it all on the line. While he's not the most physically gifted player, he understands his limitations and makes up for them by sticking with his game. His toughness to play through injuries and bounceback from being benched is noteworthy.
Accuracy and touch
Howard can be trusted to execute concepts quickly and get his playmakers into space. He has a clean and repeatable throwing motion that works in the pocket and on the move. His accuracy is reliable, posting an impressive 78.6 adjusted completion rate with an 8.6-yard average depth of target.

TOUCHDOWNNNNNNNN OHIO STATE EMEKA EGBUKA pic.twitter.com/4O63KX5ndc
— logan (@logan7373728) January 1, 2025

Cons

Arm strength
While Howard operates well as a pocket passer, he struggles driving the ball down the field and occasionally into tight windows. He's never had the velocity that his size suggests, often underthrowing passes. Playing in the wind gives Howard trouble. He'll also see far-sideline throws hang in the air enough to open the door for defenders to close in.
Gunslinger mindset
As usual with gamers, Howard gets reckless. He cut his turnover-worthy-throw rate to 3.1% in 2024, but that's still too high for a game manager. His willingness to go for broke can pay off, but the risk wasn't worth the reward more often than not at Kansas State. If Howard plays for a less-loaded team, his worst tendencies will show, and he will struggle to reign them in.
Advanced passing
Howard still has to see his guys open to trust throwing the ball far too often for someone with more than 1,100 passing attempts. He started trusting Jeremiah Smith enough to lob it up, but everyone else got the ball a tick too late. Getting rid of the hesitation and need for confirmation is a key step in mental processing.

Player Evaluation

Being a backup in the NFL requires high intellect to bring value to the starter, but also a mental blend of aggressiveness and game manager that can be tapped into. Will Howard looks like a Josh Allen-esque player, but often is more of a caretaker who will extend plays a little and make a risky decision on occasion. His arm talent is good but not great, and his mental sharpness is lacking enough to hold him back from being a qualified starter for long.

Pro Comp: Davis Mills

A high-floor player who should last in the NFL for a decade, Howard has performed in multiple schemes and improved from adversity. Some of his limitations can't be improved upon, but continuing to grow his confidence and accuracy can mitigate them further.