Will Howard Credits Ohio State With Changing His Life, Aaron Rodgers Endorses Him, and NFL Scout Backs Carnell Tate Fully

The buzz surrounding Ohio State football doesn’t quiet down in the offseason—and when the praise comes from names like Will Howard, Aaron Rodgers, and NFL scouts, the echoes carry even further. In today’s Skull Session, the Buckeyes find themselves at the center of praise from one of their own, recognition from a future Hall of Famer, and glowing pro potential in a rising star wide receiver.

Let’s start with the quarterback who hasn’t stopped showing love to the Scarlet and Gray: Will Howard.

After transferring from Kansas State to Ohio State ahead of the 2024 season, Howard has made it clear that Columbus didn’t just provide him a new uniform—it changed the trajectory of his life.

“Ohio State changed my life,” Howard told local reporters during a recent appearance at a Buckeye Boosters event. “The way Coach Day runs things, the way the staff treats you like family, and the brotherhood inside the Woody [Hayes Athletic Center]—you can’t understand it until you live it.”

Howard, now positioned as one of the top quarterbacks to watch for the 2025 NFL Draft, credited his time under Ryan Day and quarterbacks coach Corey Dennis as instrumental in elevating his game to a new level.

“I came in here with confidence, but they added clarity,” Howard continued. “The playbook, the precision, the demand for excellence—it’s real. I had to earn every rep here, and that made me a better man, not just a better quarterback.”

Howard’s journey to Ohio State wasn’t one many predicted. After a productive career at Kansas State, where he led the Wildcats to a Big 12 Championship in 2022 and remained a stabilizing force, he could have opted to stay and finish out his eligibility in Manhattan. Instead, he sought the next step—and he found it in Columbus. Now, his transformation is getting noticed in places far beyond the Buckeye State.

Enter Aaron Rodgers.

The four-time NFL MVP, known as much for his candor as his pinpoint throws, recently sat down with “The Pat McAfee Show” and fielded a question about which college quarterback he’s been quietly watching. His answer? Will Howard.

“I like that kid from Ohio State—Will Howard,” Rodgers said. “He’s got the poise. I’ve seen a couple of his games, a couple of practices on tape. He throws a really clean ball. And you can tell he’s got that presence in the pocket. I like him. Seems like a good kid.”

Rodgers’ endorsement doesn’t come lightly. A known film junkie, Rodgers has long valued mechanics, leadership, and mental acuity—three things that Howard has put on full display in his brief but impactful Buckeye tenure.

While Rodgers’ comments turned heads, they weren’t a surprise to those who have been watching Howard closely. NFL scouts and executives have already begun projecting him as a high Day 2 pick, with the potential to sneak into the first round with a strong senior season. But Howard isn’t the only Buckeye drawing NFL attention.

Wide receiver Carnell Tate—once a highly-touted recruit out of IMG Academy—is quickly becoming one of the darlings of NFL talent evaluators. At 6-foot-2 and 190 pounds, with silky route-running and reliable hands, Tate has drawn comparisons to former Buckeye and current Saints star Chris Olave.

According to an NFC scout who attended Ohio State’s spring practices, Tate’s projection is as high as anyone’s in the country.

“I’m all-in on Carnell Tate,” the scout told The Athletic. “He has every trait you want in a top wide receiver. He’s smart, coachable, and knows how to find leverage in coverage. Ohio State’s wide receiver room has been loaded for years, but this kid might be the next great one.”

That’s not hyperbole. In a wide receiver lineage that includes Olave, Garrett Wilson, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and Marvin Harrison Jr., the bar for greatness at Ohio State is unusually high. But Tate’s sophomore spring has shown he might just be the next name to reach it.

Last season, Tate flashed in limited opportunities, finishing with 18 receptions for 267 yards and two touchdowns. But with Emeka Egbuka off to the NFL and a more experienced quarterback room, 2025 is shaping up to be Tate’s breakout campaign.

What’s impressed coaches and scouts most isn’t just his speed—it’s his maturity. Brian Hartline, Ohio State’s renowned wide receivers coach and new offensive coordinator, has praised Tate’s film study, his precise footwork, and his ability to win in the red zone.

“He’s ahead of schedule,” Hartline said in a spring interview. “A lot of young guys take time to adjust to the physicality, the reads, the small details. Carnell came in ready to work and has earned everything coming his way.”

That work ethic is one of the key themes binding this current Buckeye group. Whether it’s Howard elevating the quarterback room with leadership and grit, Tate grinding toward superstardom, or veterans like Jack Sawyer and JT Tuimoloau setting the tone on defense, Ohio State’s culture remains one of development, discipline, and results.

It’s no wonder that recruits are still lining up to join the movement.

“The thing about Ohio State is they don’t just promise NFL—they show you how to get there,” said a four-star 2026 recruit visiting during the spring game. “Guys like Will Howard come here and get better. Guys like Carnell Tate become stars. That’s what I want to be around.”

The synergy between quarterback and receiver will be a storyline to follow this fall. With Howard’s command of the offense and Tate’s explosive ability on the perimeter, Ohio State could field one of the more dangerous pitch-and-catch duos in college football.

And while Ryan Day continues to face pressure to return the Buckeyes to the College Football Playoff and get over the Michigan hump, the pieces are in place for a deep run in 2025. Howard is expected to be a captain, a rare honor for a one-year starter. Tate is expected to lead a dynamic receiver corps. And defensively, the Buckeyes return enough firepower to match up with any team in the country.

NFL interest will only grow from here. Senior Bowl director Jim Nagy recently included Howard on a shortlist of 2025 quarterbacks who could make a massive leap with a strong season. Multiple mock drafts now project Carnell Tate as a top-20 selection in 2026. And Aaron Rodgers’ vote of confidence adds a layer of validation for Howard that few prospects receive.

In Columbus, that’s all just fuel for the fire.

Howard, speaking to a group of high school campers this month, made it clear he isn’t getting caught up in the noise.

“I’m just focused on the now. I came to Ohio State to compete, to win, and to leave it better than I found it,” he said. “If we take care of business, everything else will come.”

Tate echoed that sentiment when asked about his NFL future after a spring scrimmage.

“I’m here to win games and help this team,” he said. “The rest will take care of itself.”

As always, in Buckeye Nation, expectation meets preparation. And with voices from the NFL chiming in—and future stars embracing the grind—Ohio State remains one of the premier proving grounds in college football.

In Will Howard, they have a mature, hungry leader with next-level tools. In Carnell Tate, they have a budding superstar who’s earning praise from every corner of the league. And in the Buckeye brand, they still carry the weight of excellence—and the responsibility to live up to it.

Stay tuned. Fall in Columbus is going to be loud.