Carnell Tate, OSU’s dynamic WR, turned heads when he snagged a deep pass from Will Howard at midfield and took it to the end zone. The highlight-reel moment made an already impressive Pro Day even more electrifying. However, Howard put on a show, completing 64 of 67 passes with pinpoint accuracy in front of 142 NFL scouts. “It wasn’t perfect, but we were almost perfect,” said Howard confidently. On the flip side, his leadership was just as impressive. “He’s an amazing leader, and he’s somebody we love to run around with,” said ex-Buckeyes TE Gee Scott Jr. But despite his strong showing, Howard’s NFL Combine struggles have hurt his draft stock. And now, he’s facing a harsh reality—one that forced him to reveal a brutal truth about his future in the league.
On March 27, WBNS 10TV caught up with Will Howard for an interview. When the topic of the NFL Combine came up, the standout QB didn’t hold back. He was asked about the difference between throwing to unfamiliar receivers at the Combine versus familiar targets like Carnell Tate and Brandon Inniss at Pro Day. Here, Howard’s response was candid. “Yeah, it’s great. The Combine—obviously, there were some things said about it afterwards. But, like, I thought I did pretty well. And, I think, really team up North fans blowing it out of proportion,” said the standout QB. As of now, with confidence and fire, Howard has made it clear—he won’t let Michigan fans or outside noise define his draft stock.
However, the national title-winning QB owned up to his mistakes, admitting, “I really, I missed, like, two throws, obviously, but, like, other guys did too.” Here, Howard didn’t dwell on it; instead, he embraced the challenge, stating, “But, you know, you always wanna put yourself in an uncomfortable situation. So, you know, I wasn’t mad about it. I did well at the combine, and I got good feedback from a lot of people—except for pretty much the media—but, it is what it is, man. It’s part of it.” On Pro Day, though, it was a different story. Surrounded by familiar faces, he felt right at home. “Obviously, it’s definitely better being here in this building with his guys. You’re more comfortable,” said Howard.
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And he delivered. “I think today was, was a great showing. And, you know, I showed that I can spin the ball with the best of them,” said the OSU star. Honestly, with his confidence unshaken, Howard is proving he belongs at the next level. And when asked how he performed, Will Howard didn’t hesitate. Despite his low draft stock after the Combine, he stayed confident in his abilities, saying, “I did what I wanted to do, and, you know, at the end of the day, I feel like if you don’t believe in yourself, you’re selling yourself short.” So, Howard made it clear—he’s not backing down from the competition.
“You know, I believe that I am, you know, it’s nothing against the other guys. I believe I’m the best quarterback in this draft class. And if I think I came out here and showed that I can, I can spin it with the best. I think, hopefully, some of the teams agree with me,” said Howard. You can say, after a rocky Combine, Howard took Pro Day as his moment to shine, and now, he’s letting his game speak for itself. Moreover, Howard embraced the moment, calling it ‘a great day’ and an ‘amazing experience’. Looks like being back with his teammates made it even more special, as he hoped for that one team to believe in him.
And why not? Howard led the Buckeyes to a 14-2 record last season, finishing his lone year with 4,010 passing yards and 35 TDs. But, you have to remember, Will Howard isn’t just about the throws—he’s about leadership, confidence, and football IQ. Here, when asked about proving himself to NFL teams, he didn’t hold back: “I think I’m an elite processor, and my leadership skills are one of the best things about me.” Because he knows the game inside and out. And that is why his confidence is unshaken. Moreover, he added, “I wanna prove that I’m the best quarterback in this class, and I believe that.” So, while there’s always more to learn, Howard believes he’s the most pro-ready QB in this draft.
Now, he’s ready for the next step. “Whoever wants to believe in me, they’re not, they’re not gonna regret it—just like Ohio State didn’t regret believing in me,” said Howard. And now, Howard’s announcement of an NFL team turns heads.
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Will Howard drop major announcement on Las Vegas Raiders
We all know Chip Kelly, now the Raiders‘ OC, called plays for Will Howard during his breakout season. Right now, fresh off the best year of his college career, Howard is drawing serious NFL interest. According to The Athletic’s Zac Jackson, the star QB has already revealed one team he plans to visit following his impressive Pro Day. As of now, with his draft stock rising, all eyes are on where Howard could land next.
You know, Howard, a 6-foot-4, 236-pound quarterback who excelled at both Kansas State and Ohio State, has been closely watched by NFL teams. He solidified his reputation as a top recruit by helping the Buckeyes win a national championship the previous season. Here, Jackson reports that Howard has returned to campus while juggling a busy schedule of private workouts and visits. He did not disclose his entire pre-draft itinerary, but he did disclose one important stop. “He said he’s scheduled for a visit to Las Vegas with the Raiders and new offensive coordinator Chip Kelly, Howard’s offensive coordinator last season at Ohio State,” wrote Jackson. So, with the draft approaching, the connection between Howard and Kelly could be one to watch.
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However, the Raiders get only 30 pre-draft visits, making their meeting with Will Howard a clear sign of interest. They’re doing their homework on QBs, and Texas star Quinn Ewers is also on their list. Even with Geno Smith likely set to start in 2025, Las Vegas isn’t ruling out a future franchise QB. So, the team is taking a serious look at this year’s draft class, keeping all options open for the future.