Will Howard, a former quarterback at Ohio State, has already expressed his desire to excel with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

When Will Howard transferred from Kansas State to Ohio State, the move was supposed to elevate his NFL stock. Now, after an eventful final collegiate season and a whirlwind pre-draft process, Howard finds himself with an opportunity that may not have come the way he envisioned—but one he’s fully ready to seize. As a new member of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Howard is already vocal about his ambitions, not just to make the roster, but to eventually thrive under the bright lights of the NFL.

“It’s a fresh start, and I’m here to compete,” Howard told reporters after rookie minicamp. “I’ve been working for this moment my whole life. I’m grateful to the Steelers for believing in me, and I plan to prove they were right to.”

Howard’s path to the NFL has been anything but conventional. Originally a three-star recruit out of Downingtown West High School in Pennsylvania, he committed to Kansas State in 2020. He was thrust into action as a true freshman after starter Skylar Thompson went down with an injury. While Howard flashed his big arm and physical tools, inconsistency and turnovers marred his early starts.

Yet Howard stayed the course. By 2022, he had developed into one of the Big 12’s most efficient quarterbacks, leading Kansas State to a conference title. His breakout moment came in the championship game against TCU, where he threw for two touchdowns and showcased the poise of a veteran leader.

Instead of capitalizing on that momentum and entering the NFL Draft, Howard returned in 2023. However, with rising star Avery Johnson pushing for playing time and the Wildcats leaning into the future, Howard opted to enter the transfer portal. His decision to join Ohio State—a perennial powerhouse with national title ambitions—raised eyebrows, especially given the Buckeyes’ crowded quarterback room.

At Ohio State, Howard faced both opportunity and challenge. The Buckeyes were retooling under head coach Ryan Day, and with Kyle McCord transferring out, Howard was the early favorite to start. But the arrival of five-star recruit Julian Sayin and a strong spring from Devin Brown meant nothing was guaranteed.

Howard did ultimately win the starting job, but the season was a mixed bag. While he showed flashes of brilliance, including a 310-yard, three-touchdown performance against Wisconsin, the Buckeyes’ offense often sputtered against elite defenses. In back-to-back losses to Michigan and in the College Football Playoff semifinal against Georgia, Howard struggled with pressure and decision-making.

Despite a solid stat line—3,122 passing yards, 25 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions—NFL scouts remained divided. Some saw the physical traits: a 6-foot-5 frame, above-average arm strength, and sneaky athleticism. Others questioned his processing speed and accuracy under duress.

Still, Howard stayed focused. “I know what I can bring to a team,” he said at the NFL Combine. “I’m not perfect, but I’ve grown every year. I’m just getting started.”

As the 2025 NFL Draft unfolded, Howard’s name didn’t come off the board in the early rounds as he had once hoped. Instead, he watched quarterbacks like Shedeur Sanders, Jalen Milroe, and Quinn Ewers get selected ahead of him. Howard eventually received the call late on Day 3—from the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The pick surprised some analysts, considering Pittsburgh had recently invested in both Russell Wilson and Justin Fields. But head coach Mike Tomlin and general manager Omar Khan emphasized the importance of depth, competition, and long-term development at the quarterback position.

“We see traits in Will that are worth developing,” Tomlin said. “He’s a competitor. He’s got leadership skills and an NFL arm. This is about building a strong quarterback room and letting things play out.”

The Steelers’ quarterback situation is currently headlined by Wilson, the 35-year-old veteran seeking redemption, and Fields, the former Bears starter who’s hoping a change of scenery revives his career. Howard enters as the clear third-string option—for now.

But if there’s one thing that defines Howard, it’s resilience.

“I’ve never been handed anything,” he said after arriving at the Steelers’ facility. “At Kansas State, I fought for every snap. At Ohio State, I had to learn a whole new system and prove myself again. Competing with Russ and Justin? That’s just another challenge.”

Howard is already working closely with new Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, who is known for his emphasis on play-action and mobile quarterbacks. It’s a system that could play to Howard’s strengths, especially if he can speed up his reads and improve accuracy on short-to-intermediate throws.

“He’s picking things up quickly,” Smith said after rookie camp. “The physical tools are there. Now it’s about consistency and command.”

Veteran wide receiver George Pickens also took notice of Howard’s arm talent during offseason throwing sessions. “He can really sling it,” Pickens said. “He’s raw, but you can tell he loves the grind.”

Howard understands that he’s not being handed a starting job, and that’s fine with him. What he wants is the chance to develop within a professional structure, absorb wisdom from veterans, and be ready if and when his number is called.

“This league moves fast,” he said. “Injuries happen. Plans change. You’ve got to be ready to step in and lead. That’s what I’m preparing for.”

His mindset is drawing praise from Steelers coaches and teammates alike. He’s been among the first in the building and the last to leave, diving into film and working one-on-one with quarterbacks coach Mike Sullivan. The Steelers’ quarterback room, once a position of instability post-Ben Roethlisberger, is now a crucible of competition and potential.

“I don’t know how this will play out,” Howard admitted. “But I know I’m not here just to hold a clipboard. I’m here to push everybody, and to be ready.”

Howard’s arrival in Pittsburgh also marks something of a homecoming. Growing up in Pennsylvania, he was surrounded by Steelers fans and steeped in the tradition of hard-nosed football.

“This is the team I grew up watching,” Howard said with a smile. “Guys like Troy Polamalu, Ben Roethlisberger—that was my childhood. To be part of that legacy now? It’s surreal.”

That connection isn’t lost on local fans, many of whom have already embraced the underdog signal-caller. On social media, Howard’s humble background, blue-collar mindset, and local ties have made him a fan favorite among a segment of the Steelers faithful.

“It’s not just about football,” said longtime fan Josh Kessler. “Will seems like one of us. He knows what Pittsburgh is about.”

While Howard is unlikely to start this season barring injuries, his development will be worth watching. If Wilson falters or Fields fails to take a leap, the Steelers may look to their young project quarterback sooner than expected.

Some NFL observers believe Howard could evolve into a starting-caliber player in a year or two, especially if he improves his decision-making and footwork. Others view him as a long-term backup with the upside to surprise, much like Brock Purdy has with the 49ers.

Either way, the former Wildcat and Buckeye is staying locked in.

“There are 32 teams, and only so many starting spots,” Howard said. “You’ve got to earn everything. And I’m here to earn it.”

Will Howard’s NFL story is still in its early chapters, but he’s made one thing clear—he’s betting on himself. From Kansas State to Ohio State and now to the Pittsburgh Steelers, his journey is a testament to perseverance, adaptability, and unshakeable belief.

“I don’t care what people say about rankings or depth charts,” Howard said. “At the end of the day, it’s about how much you want it. And I want it more than anyone.”

For now, he’ll keep grinding in the shadows, soaking up knowledge, and preparing for his moment. Because in the NFL, moments come fast—and Will Howard plans to be ready when his arrives.