From three-star recruit to NFL draft pick and national champion
In short: Will Howard’s journey from a Pennsylvania high school standout to a professional quarterback is a masterclass in resilience. After navigating the transfer portal and overcoming scholarship snubbing, he rose through the collegiate ranks to secure a national title and a spot in the NFL.
Born in West Chester, Pennsylvania, Howard first gained attention at Downingtown West High School. A versatile athlete, he was a two-<0xC2>time All-Area selection in basketball, scoring over 1,000 points in his varsity career, while his football stats included 5,308 passing yards and 48 touchdowns. Though he received more than 20 scholarship offers, he was rated only as a three-star recruit.
His collegiate path began at Kansas State, where he joined as an early enrollee in January 2020. After serving as a backup, Howard stepped into the starting role during his junior season following injuries to Adrian Martinez. His performance there—recording 1,633 passing yards and 14 touchdowns across seven games—set the stage for a high-profile move through the transfer portal in late 2023.
In January 2024, Howard committed to Ohio State. His senior season was historic; he achieved a 73% completion percentage, setting a new single-season school record. He led the Buckeyes to a College Football Playoff National Championship victory over Notre Dame, earning Offensive MVP honors. This victory was particularly sweet for Howard, who noted that Penn State had not offered him a scholarship.
The 2025 NFL Draft saw the Pittsburgh Steelers select Howard in the sixth round, 185th overall. While his professional start faced hurdles, including a fractured hand in August 2025 that landed him on injured reserve, he has since been activated and continues to develop under the mentorship of former Steelers legend Ben Roethlisberger.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Will Howard (American football)
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