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Will Howard Had Best Reaction To Getting Drafted By Pittsburgh

Originally posted on The Spun | By Tzvi Machlin | Last updated Apr 27, 2025 12:27 PM ET

Three months ago quarterback Will Howard got to live his dream of winning a national title when he led Ohio State to victory in the College Football Playoff. Over the weekend, he got to live his other dream: Being drafted.

The former Ohio State and Kansas State quarterback was the No. 185 overall pick by the Pittsburgh Steelers. He joins a team where he actually has a decent chance to compete early (assuming a certain future Hall of Fame quarterback doesn't get signed). With only Mason Rudolph and Skylar Thompson under contract, he could contend for the starting job as quickly as training camp if he's got the skills.

But well before the idea of being a starter crossed his mind, Howard was simply overjoyed to be drafted.

In a video from his home, he sits and starts crying as his mother cries with him after getting the call from the Steelers. The family then cheers as Howard and his mother embrace.

The video of his reaction to getting drafted has been going viral, garnering hundreds of thousands of views

Pittsburgh bound!! @whoward_ #exceling pic.twitter.com/MzFHlmHl2k
— excel football (@excelfootball) April 26, 2025

Buckeyes fans have been wishing him fond farewells while Steelers fans are welcoming him to the team:

"Congratulations brother. Was great meeting you at your Pro Day. Excited to document your incredible journey!!" Steelers photographer Ed Thompson wrote.

"Congrats Will and thank you for bringing our Buckeyes to a National Championship!"

"He will be like the Brady pick and in a few years teams will regret missing the chance to draft him!" a third predicted.

"Love this dude!! So happy for you and Jack! I was a Bengals fan…. But I’m switching to the Steelers now!! Congratulations and thank you for the memories this season! GO BUCKS!!"

"Welcome to the greatest franchise in the history of professional sports! Welcome to the Burgh!!!!"

COLUMBUS, OHIO - NOVEMBER 09: Quarterback Will Howard #18 of the Ohio State Buckeyes runs with the ball during the second quarter of a game against the Purdue Boilermakers at Ohio Stadium on November 09, 2024 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Ben Jackson/Getty Images)Ben Jackson/Getty Images

Howard played his first four seasons at Kansas State, where he was largely an average quarterback. But upon transferring to Ohio State, his numbers soared as he completed 73-percent of his passes for 4,010 yards and 35 touchdowns with 10 interceptions in 16 games.

He will now have a chance to live his dream of being an NFL player.

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

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