Tennessee Volunteers Secure Major Commitment with 5-Star Quarterback Will Howard, Flipping from Ohio State Buckeyes in Huge Recruiting Win
In a shocking twist to the ongoing college football recruiting saga, 5-star quarterback Will Howard, standing at an impressive 6’4″ and weighing 236 pounds, has flipped his commitment from the Ohio State Buckeyes to the Tennessee Volunteers. This monumental decision marks a significant turning point for both programs as Tennessee solidifies its quarterback depth for the future while Ohio State must now pivot to find their next star under center. Howard’s decision has sent shockwaves through the college football world, and it’s a move that could dramatically alter the landscape of both the SEC and Big Ten for years to come.
Will Howard, a highly touted recruit from the class of 2025, has been one of the most closely watched prospects throughout his high school career. Known for his arm strength, athleticism, and poise in the pocket, Howard quickly rose through the ranks of high school football. His recruitment became a battleground between some of the nation’s top programs, including Ohio State and Tennessee, both of which had targeted him as a cornerstone piece for their future offenses. However, the 5-star quarterback, who had initially committed to Ohio State, ultimately chose to switch allegiances to the Volunteers, signaling his faith in Tennessee’s program and coaching staff.
This flip is particularly significant given Ohio State’s prestigious football program and its recent success in producing NFL-caliber quarterbacks. For Howard to make such a bold move away from one of the most successful programs in college football, especially to a rival conference like the SEC, speaks volumes about Tennessee’s recruiting efforts and the direction of their program under head coach Josh Heupel. It also highlights the shifting balance of power in college football recruiting, with programs like Tennessee rapidly ascending in terms of both talent acquisition and overall performance.
Ohio State, a perennial powerhouse in the Big Ten, has been a major player in recruiting battles for years. Known for its development of elite quarterbacks like Justin Fields, Dwayne Haskins, and more recently C.J. Stroud, the Buckeyes have established a reputation for grooming NFL-ready talent at the quarterback position. They had long been considered the front-runners to land Howard, who had verbally committed to Ohio State early in the recruitment process. Their ability to develop quarterbacks and their storied success in the Big Ten seemed to make them a natural fit for the 5-star quarterback.
However, Tennessee’s rise under Josh Heupel has been a game-changer. Heupel, who took over the program in 2021, has quickly transformed Tennessee from an underachieving team into a competitive force in the SEC. His up-tempo, high-powered offense has made the Volunteers one of the most exciting teams in college football, and that offensive scheme became a key selling point in Howard’s decision to join Tennessee. Heupel’s offensive philosophy, which emphasizes a dynamic passing game, seems tailor-made for Howard’s skill set as a strong-armed quarterback capable of making all the throws at the collegiate level.
Tennessee’s aggressive approach in recruiting, combined with their high-profile offensive system, presented an irresistible offer for Howard. The Volunteers’ ability to show him the kind of success that can come with their system was instrumental in changing his mind. Furthermore, the opportunity to play in the SEC, widely regarded as the toughest and most competitive conference in college football, was a major draw for Howard. While the Big Ten offers its own brand of competition, the SEC’s level of play, particularly in terms of defense, was something that Howard likely found appealing as a chance to sharpen his skills.
The Volunteers, who had already been successful in securing some top-tier recruits in recent years, now find themselves with a massive coup in landing Howard, giving them an elite talent at the quarterback position for years to come. The decision to join Tennessee not only elevates Howard’s own career but also strengthens the program’s standing in the highly competitive world of college football.
For Tennessee, securing a commitment from a 5-star quarterback like Will Howard is a huge deal. The Volunteers have been steadily improving under Josh Heupel’s leadership, and this recruitment win further solidifies their trajectory toward becoming a powerhouse in the SEC. The addition of Howard immediately gives Tennessee one of the most coveted quarterbacks in the country, a player who has the potential to step in and make an impact from day one.
Howard’s skill set fits perfectly into Heupel’s offensive scheme. His ability to throw the ball deep and with precision is exactly what Heupel’s fast-paced, pass-heavy offense demands. The potential pairing of Howard with Tennessee’s talented wide receivers, including the playmakers the Volunteers are continuing to recruit, is a tantalizing prospect. Tennessee’s offense could become one of the most dynamic in the nation with Howard at the helm, making the Volunteers a dangerous team in the SEC for years to come.
Moreover, Howard’s commitment is a major boost for Tennessee’s recruiting efforts moving forward. High school recruits often look at the caliber of players who are already committed to a program when making their own decisions. With Howard’s commitment, Tennessee now has a star player in the most important position on the field, which could attract additional top-tier talent to Knoxville. A successful quarterback is often the centerpiece around which a program builds, and with Howard in the fold, Tennessee now has a true leader under center who can take the program to new heights.
Additionally, Tennessee’s recruitment of Howard further emphasizes the changing landscape of college football. The SEC, already the most dominant conference in college football, continues to assert its superiority, and Tennessee’s rise under Heupel has been a key factor in that. The Volunteers’ ability to secure a commitment from a 5-star quarterback shows that they are not only competing with other elite SEC programs but also with traditional powerhouses like Ohio State.
On the flip side, Ohio State’s loss of Howard is a significant blow to their recruiting efforts. The Buckeyes have long been a force in college football, particularly under head coach Ryan Day, who has established himself as one of the top offensive minds in the game. Losing a player of Howard’s caliber to a conference rival like Tennessee is a setback for Ohio State, especially considering the high hopes they had for his future in their offense.
Ohio State’s quarterback development has been one of the key selling points in their recruiting efforts, and Howard was expected to be the next in line to carry the torch after the departure of C.J. Stroud. With Howard now committed to Tennessee, Ohio State will have to refocus their recruiting efforts and identify another top quarterback prospect to fill the void. The Buckeyes are certainly capable of doing so, given their resources and reputation, but Howard’s decision to flip will undoubtedly have ramifications for Ohio State’s recruiting strategy in the coming months.
Ohio State remains one of the top programs in college football, but losing out on a 5-star quarterback to a team like Tennessee underscores the rising competition in college football recruiting. Other programs, particularly those in the SEC, are no longer content to simply recruit locally or regionally—they are now targeting elite prospects nationally and competing head-to-head with programs like Ohio State.
The commitment of Will Howard to the Tennessee Volunteers is a major development in the world of college football recruiting. It marks a significant shift in the recruiting landscape, with Tennessee emerging as a powerhouse program under Josh Heupel’s leadership. Howard’s decision to flip from Ohio State to Tennessee will have lasting effects on both programs, with the Volunteers gaining a future star quarterback and Ohio State needing to regroup and adjust their recruiting strategy. For Tennessee, this is a huge win that could propel them to new heights in the SEC, while for Ohio State, it serves as a reminder that the competition for elite talent is fiercer than ever.
This recruitment saga will continue to unfold in the coming months, and while the initial shock of Howard’s commitment to Tennessee may settle, the implications for both programs will be felt for years to come. The college football world is eagerly watching, and both Ohio State and Tennessee will be under the microscope as they prepare for the future. As for Will Howard, his decision marks the beginning of what could be a spectacular career in Knoxville, where he will have the chance to lead the Volunteers to new levels of success and take his place among the elite quarterbacks in college football.
