Will Howard to Take Official Visit to Ohio State: Report
Former Kansas State quarterback Will Howard is set to take an official visit to Ohio State according to a report from ESPN’s Pete Thamel, who says the OV is “a sign of mutual interest between the parties.”
This report corroborates what Thamel reported just after the Buckeyes 14-3 loss to Missouri in the Cotton Bowl.
“The Buckeyes wanted to clear the bowl game before looking at transfer quarterbacks,” Thamel said. “Don’t be surprised in the upcoming days if the Buckeyes and Howard heat up.”
Howard has been linked to USC and Miami for some time now, but the smoke around he and those programs has died down a bit in recent weeks, while Ohio State’s need for a quarterback became very apparent in their second loss of the season.
Thamel isn’t the only one connecting the dots between the former Wildcat and Ohio State though, as On3’s Pete Nakos said that the Buckeyes were a team to watch in this transfer portal race.
“That’s another one where I think the NFL is going to actually be on the auction board,” Nakos told Andy Staples on Andy Staples On3. “Jan. 15 is another day to know. I’ve heard USC, I know he obviously visited Miami. I don’t think Miami is very confident he’s gonna land there.
“And obviously, Ohio State is still shopping for a quarterback. I don’t think they’re completely off the quarterback market. … But yeah, I think the Buckeyes definitely are at least looking at Will Howard. And USC, obviously, and Lincoln Riley would obviously love to add him and have Howard be the starting quarterback for the Trojans in 2024.”
The NFL is still very much an option for Howard, and could be his most viable option if things were to go poorly on his visit with Ohio State. However, it would be hard to imagine that pairing not having at least some viability.
Could Howard be the starting quarterback for a Big Ten title contender next season? It’s certainly a possibility, which should come as no surprise to anyone who’s watched his four-year career in Manhattan.
Howard led K-State to a Big 12 title in 2022 and is Kansas State’s all-time passing touchdowns leader with 45 scores through the air over four years. Whoever lands him is getting a veteran quarterback with all the skills necessary to win every game he’s a part of.
