Quarterback Will Howard‘s draft inventory ought to be pointing up after main the Ohio State Buckeyes to their first nationwide title in 10 years on Monday evening.
Towards the Notre Dame Combating Irish, Howard accomplished a 56-yard go to freshman WR Jeremiah Smith on a Third-and-11 late within the fourth quarter, sealing a 34-23 victory for the Buckeyes. The QB completed 17-of-21 passing for 231 yards and two touchdowns, incomes the sport’s Offensive MVP.
Earlier than the nationwide championship, ESPN’s Pat McAfee — a former punter — mentioned he was stunned Howard wasn’t producing extra hype.
“I like him lots,” McAfee mentioned of Howard. “I feel [ESPN draft guru] Mel Kiper Jr. is projecting him to be within the fourth spherical. I’m baffled by that, particularly with what he is been doing on the largest levels you will get in faculty ball.”
In four College Football Playoff games, Howard accomplished 75.2 p.c of his passes for 1,150 yards with eight touchdowns and two interceptions. It is also price noting that the fifth-year senior posted the FBS’ greatest QBR (89.6) in 16 begins.
On his updated big board, Kiper ranks Howard because the No. 6 QB within the class. Tankathon, in the meantime, would not listing him amongst its top 100 players.
Nevertheless, a crew may fall in love with Howard in the course of the pre-draft course of. The 6-foot-4, 235-pounder has a number of the instruments NFL groups covet.
“A cellular quarterback with the flexibility to push the ball downfield has an actual place within the NFL,” wrote The thirty third Workforce’s Tyler Brooke in a chunk revealed Tuesday. “He additionally has important taking part in expertise on the faculty degree, which is changing into extra precious for groups after watching [Washington Commanders QB] Jayden Daniels and [Denver Broncos QB] Bo Nix hit the bottom working instantly as rookies after taking part in tons of school soccer.”
Groups with quarterback questions, just like the Indianapolis Colts or Pittsburgh Steelers, ought to contemplate taking a flier on Howard on Day 2 or 3 of the draft, which is scheduled for April 24-26 in Inexperienced Bay.
The 2025 class would not appear deep on the place, and the 23-year-old could also be a sleeper.
