Breaking: Five-Star Quarterback Will Howard Flips Commitment from Ohio State to Tennessee, Chooses Vols Over Kentucky and Florida State

Breaking: Five-Star Quarterback Will Howard Flips Commitment from Ohio State to Tennessee, Chooses Vols Over Kentucky and Florida State

In a stunning turn of events that has sent shockwaves through the college football world, five-star quarterback Will Howard has officially flipped his commitment from Ohio State and is now headed to Rocky Top. The 6-foot-4, 236-pound gunslinger, one of the most highly coveted prospects in the 2025 recruiting class, announced his decision earlier today, choosing the Tennessee Volunteers over the Kentucky Wildcats and Florida State Seminoles. It’s a seismic shift that reshapes not only Tennessee’s quarterback room but also the SEC landscape and the national recruiting race.

Howard, widely considered one of the top three quarterbacks in the nation, had been committed to the Ohio State Buckeyes for nearly eight months. A native of Alpharetta, Georgia, Howard’s decision was initially seen as a major coup for the Buckeyes, who continue to reload their roster with elite talent under head coach Ryan Day. Howard had long been vocal about his admiration for Ohio State’s quarterback legacy, from Justin Fields to C.J. Stroud to Kyle McCord, and many insiders believed the Buckeyes were locked in. That was, until Tennessee quietly worked its way back into the picture.

Sources close to Howard say that Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel never stopped recruiting him. Even after Howard gave his verbal pledge to the Buckeyes, the Vols coaching staff kept communication lines open, selling him on the vision they have in Knoxville. And as time wore on, that message began to resonate more and more. With Heupel’s high-octane offense and a recent track record of developing quarterbacks like Hendon Hooker and Nico Iamaleava, Tennessee offered something Howard craved — the chance to be the centerpiece of a program on the rise.

Make no mistake, this flip is a massive statement by the Tennessee program. Howard is not just another top recruit — he is a transformational talent. With a cannon for an arm, exceptional field awareness, and the physical tools to make every throw on the field, he’s been drawing comparisons to NFL stars since his junior season of high school. His combination of size, strength, and athleticism makes him a true dual-threat quarterback capable of dominating SEC defenses.

The commitment to Tennessee also speaks volumes about where the Vols stand in the recruiting hierarchy. Just a few short years ago, a commitment flip of this magnitude might have been unthinkable. But under Heupel, Tennessee has built significant momentum. The success of the 2022 and 2023 teams reignited the energy around the program, and the facilities arms race that often separates contenders from pretenders has tilted further in Tennessee’s favor thanks to major investments in recruiting infrastructure. Howard’s flip is not just a recruiting win; it’s a signal that the Vols are no longer chasing the elite — they are becoming elite.

The recruitment of Howard intensified over the past few weeks, with Tennessee, Kentucky, and Florida State all making aggressive pushes. Kentucky offered a compelling pitch centered around early playing time and Howard being the face of a program eager to climb the SEC ladder. Florida State, meanwhile, leaned on tradition, a history of sending quarterbacks to the league, and the appeal of playing in the ACC. But it was Tennessee that ultimately won out, and the Vols did it by showing Howard he could be the final piece of a championship puzzle.

Insiders say that Howard was particularly intrigued by Tennessee’s offensive scheme. Heupel’s system has produced some of the most explosive offenses in the country, and the quarterback position is central to its success. With Howard under center, Tennessee believes it can unlock even higher levels of production. His deep-ball accuracy, timing on intermediate routes, and ability to extend plays with his legs are all traits that mesh perfectly with the Vols’ offensive philosophy.

Another key factor in Howard’s decision was the quarterback room itself. While many top-tier programs are stacked with blue-chip talent, Tennessee offers Howard a unique blend of competition and opportunity. With Nico Iamaleava potentially heading to the NFL after the 2025 season, Howard could step into a starting role sooner than later, with a chance to learn behind a potential first-round draft pick before taking the reins himself.

Recruiting analysts across the country are already adjusting their team rankings and projecting the ripple effects of Howard’s flip. Tennessee, already boasting a top-10 class for 2025, is expected to vault even higher with the addition of the five-star quarterback. The move also adds pressure on programs like Ohio State, who must now pivot and reassess their quarterback targets heading into the summer. For Kentucky and Florida State, Howard’s decision is a significant blow, especially after both programs invested considerable time and resources into his recruitment.

The impact of Howard’s commitment extends beyond just recruiting rankings. It injects immediate energy into Tennessee’s fanbase, which has been hungry for this kind of win on the recruiting trail. The Vols have been trending upward on the field, but adding a player of Howard’s caliber solidifies their status as one of the premier programs in the SEC. It also sends a clear message to rivals that Tennessee is ready to contend not just for SEC East titles, but for the College Football Playoff.

As for Howard himself, the decision marks the culmination of a long and often stressful recruiting journey. In his statement, Howard thanked Ohio State for believing in him but said that Tennessee “felt like home,” and that he believes in what Coach Heupel and the staff are building in Knoxville. His words were measured but emotional — a sign of how seriously he took the process and how confident he is in his final choice.

With his senior high school season ahead of him, Howard now shifts his focus back to the field, where he will look to cement his status as the top quarterback in the country. His high school coach has praised his work ethic and leadership, noting that Howard has embraced the role of team captain and mentor to younger players. That maturity will serve him well as he prepares to make the leap to college football, where the spotlight only gets brighter.

Tennessee’s 2025 class is shaping up to be one of the strongest in recent memory, and Howard’s flip could be the domino that triggers a wave of additional commitments. Elite wide receivers, offensive linemen, and even defensive playmakers often follow a five-star quarterback, knowing that success on offense starts with the signal-caller. Already, rumors are swirling that several top prospects are re-evaluating Tennessee in light of Howard’s decision.

It’s also worth noting the broader implications this flip has for the recruiting landscape. The days of verbal commitments being ironclad are long gone, and Howard’s decision is a reminder that relationships, fit, and trust can override even the strongest early pledges. For coaches across the country, it reinforces the need to recruit until the ink is dry — and maybe even beyond.

In Knoxville, though, none of that matters today. What matters is that Will Howard, one of the most talented quarterbacks in America, has chosen to wear orange and white. For Tennessee fans, this is more than just a recruiting win — it’s a declaration of intent. The Vols aren’t just building for the future; they are preparing to win now, and Howard might just be the player who takes them there.

From Neyland Stadium to the heart of Vol Nation, the excitement is palpable. The countdown has already begun for Howard’s arrival, and expectations will only continue to rise. But if his high school career is any indication, Howard won’t shy away from the moment. He thrives under pressure, embraces the challenge, and plays with the poise of a seasoned veteran.

Welcome to Rocky Top, Will Howard. Tennessee just got its quarterback of the future — and maybe, just maybe, its ticket back to college football’s biggest stage.

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