Former Kansas State quarterback Will Howard is transferring to a Big Ten powerhouse
Will Howard bet on himself when he decided to transfer away from the Kansas State football team at the end of the 2023 regular season.
A month later, that wager has paid off in a big way.
Howard committed to Ohio State on Thursday, which means the veteran quarterback will finish out his college career at a Big Ten powerhouse playing for the Buckeyes.
Many high-profile teams were interested in Howard when he entered his name into the NCAA transfer portal. He went on to take recruiting visits to Miami, USC and Ohio State before eventually settling in the Big Ten. The transfer makes a lot of sense for Howard, as he will be the favorite to replace Kyle McCord at quarterback and he will get an opportunity to play closer to his hometown of Downingtown, Pa.
It will be interesting to see how he plays in a new uniform.
Howard had both extreme lows (a five-game losing streak as a freshman) and extreme highs (a Big 12 championship as a junior) while playing in 34 games and making 27 starts for the Wildcats.
He followed up last year’s run to a league title with eight victories this season. He also helped K-State reach the Texas Bowl as a sophomore. His name can also be found in the program’s record book, as he set the school record for career touchdown passes with 48.
Howard completed 219 of 357 passes this season for 2,643 yards and 24 touchdowns. He also rushed for 364 yards and nine touchdowns. It was far from a perfect year from him, but he was one of the better passers in the conference. His combination of talent and experienced made him one of the top available quarterbacks in the portal.
It seemed like Howard knew he was going to either transfer or make a run at the NFL after he played his final game of the year at Bill Snyder Family Stadium. He more or less said goodbye during his final meeting with reporters.
“This place has meant the world to me,” Howard said. “All the relationships that I’ve had and that I’ve built, the people that I’ve come across, all the coaches, all the players. I genuinely love this place, and I’ll cherish it for the rest of my life. This place turned me into a man.”
Without Howard, K-State turned to freshman quarterback Avery Johnson at the Pop-Tarts Bowl and he guided the Wildcats to a 28-19 victory over North Carolina State.
The future seems bright at K-State with Johnson in command of the offense. But Howard also seems destined for big things with his new college football team.
Both sides may have won in this transaction.
The next time K-State fans see Howard, he will be throwing passes for one of the most storied teams in the country.
