Will Howard Gaining Comfort With Buckeyes As Fall Camp Approaches 

Like many transfers in college football, Ohio State quarterback Will Howard has taken some time to find his sea legs in Columbus. 

Howard has spent the entire offseason trying to earn his stripes with the Scarlet and Gray despite being the presumed starting quarterback for the Buckeyes since he joined the program from Kansas State in January, competing in an apparent three-way competition for the top job alongside Devin Brown and true freshman Julian Sayin. 

While the former Wildcat’s status as the starter may still not be solidified entering fall camp — he was the starter for the spring game but had a rather quiet performance, going 9-of-13 for 77 yards and zero touchdowns — Howard said he is becoming much more comfortable with his new team this summer, a development that could position himself well for the starting role this season. 

“The guys have taken me in a ton, and being able to go through this second training cycle here — obviously we had the winter, spring ball, and then now this summer — I’ve really felt like I’ve kind of settled in,” Howard told reporters Friday at the Special Skills Football Invitational held at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center. “The guys have been great to me, and we’re really starting to come together as a team, I think. We’ve still got a ways to go, but we’re on the right track.”

Howard, who started 18 games for Kansas State from 2022-23, completing 338 of his 556 pass attempts for 4,276 yards and 39 touchdowns in that span, added that he will gain even more comfort and confidence this summer if he expands his role as a team leader. This, according to the veteran gunslinger, includes staying even-keeled throughout the ups and downs of fall camp and showing support to his still-new teammates, all of which could help him further gain the respect of his teammates.

“You know, there’s a lot of different things I could say,” Howard said when asked what his goals are for fall camp. “I think just my leadership and making sure that I show up every day and show the guys how willing I am to work and how committed I am. And even if I slip up, taking ownership for it, and showing those guys that I really do care about them. It’s all about doing it for the love of your brother.”

As Howard looks to become a calming influence and leader on the team this preseason, he also hopes to use his competitiveness on the field and emerge as the clear starter ahead of Brown and Saying along with true freshman Air Noland and sophomore Lincoln Kienholz. But while the competition within the quarterback room could get intense on the scorching Woody Hayes Athletic Center outdoor turf this August, Howard said that there is great respect and admiration between each of the five quarterbacks, who all share the same lofty goals for the team entering the preseason. 

“It’s really good,” Howard said when asked about the camaraderie in the quarterback room. “We’re all super tight, and the bottom line is that we all know what the goal is, and the goal is to win ‘em all. And that’s all that matters. We don’t care who’s out there, who plays, all that matters is the Buckeyes. And that’s (what’s) best about that quarterback room.”

Howard and Ohio State will begin fall camp August 1 in a practice that is open to the public and media.