Will Howard Might Not Be The Right Quarterback To Lead Ohio State To National Championship | Barrett Sallee

Ohio State is entering the 2024 season at +375 to win the national championship — the second-best odds in the sport behind only Georgia (+325). Unlike the Bulldogs, though, the Buckeyes don’t have a starting quarterback … yet. 

Coach Ryan Day lured Will Howard to Columbus after Howard’s successful career with Kansas State as one of the potential replacements for last year’s starter Kyle McCord. However, veteran Devin Brown is still in the mix … as are freshmen Julian Sayin and Air Noland. 

Day wouldn’t name a starter after being asked directly at Big Ten Media Days on Wednesday. 

COLUMBUS, OH - APRIL 13: Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Will Howard (18) awaits the snap of the ball during the Ohio State Spring Game at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio on April 13, 2024. (Photo by Jason Mowry/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

"I'm interested in seeing what the preseason looks like here in the first two weeks," Day said (via Bucknuts). "I've seen some things this summer that have been encouraging for all of the guys. Certain guys have separated themselves in certain areas, which is great. But you see that bodies look different, guys look a little different, bigger, stronger, cut down on their body fat. But ultimately, it's got to come down to how they play. So, I'm excited to see what these first couple weeks of camp looks like."

Howard has the experience. He has 5,786 passing yards, 921 rushing yards and 68 total touchdowns in four yards. However, the 25 career interceptions and 58.8% career completion percentage leaves a lot to be desired — especially since he took pressure off of his own passing attack by serving as a strong part of the Wildcats’ rushing attack. His 10 picks last season were 15th in the conference among quarterbacks with four or more games.

Is Will Howard The Right QB For Ohio State?

Plus, he got beat out for the starting job at Kansas State after the end of last season by budding star Avery Johnson. Nobody on either staff will ever admit that … but it happened.

The Buckeyes have weapons all over the place. The backfield that consists of Quinshon Judkins and TreVeyon Henderson is the best unit in the country, and Emeka Egbuka and Carnell Tate lead a receiving corps that could be considered top five nationally. 

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - JULY 23: Ohio State Buckeyes WR Emeka Egbuka speaks during the 2024 Big Ten Media Days on July 23, 2024 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, IN. (Photo by James Black/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

If Ohio State can find somebody who can just manage a game, it can go a long way in 2024. It’s hard to imagine that Howard is that guy. Plus, the Buckeyes’ schedule screams "ease somebody in" to the role. They open with Akron, Western Michigan, a bye week and Marshall before getting into conference play at Michigan State. 

If Howard is the starter for a full season, Ohio State will be a team that can get to the College Football Playoff — but not win it. If somebody else takes the majority of snaps, this could be a team that rivals some of the best to ever take the field.