The Future of Ohio State Football Is Blazing Bright With Will Howard, Ryan Day’s Chosen Leader and a Champion Already
The future of Ohio State football is not just promising—it’s positively scorching with excitement. After years of near-misses and postseason heartbreaks, the Buckeyes appear to have finally struck the right balance of grit, leadership, and offensive firepower. The man leading the charge? None other than Will Howard—the Kansas State transfer who took Columbus by storm in 2024 and is now fully entrenched as the heartbeat of this team heading into 2025.
Coach Ryan Day didn’t mince words when describing his quarterback heading into fall camp. “Will is a tremendous leader,” Day said in a recent press conference. “He’s earned the respect of the locker room not just with his arm, but with his maturity, his toughness, and how he approaches every single rep. He’s the guy.”
That’s not just lip service. Howard’s performance in 2024 wasn’t merely good—it was legendary. He completed 73.1% of his passes, racked up 4,010 yards through the air, and tossed 35 touchdowns while leading the Buckeyes to a 14-1 record and a national championship. His arrival re-energized a program hungry for postseason glory, and his ability to process defenses and distribute the football with poise elevated Ohio State’s offense to elite status.
And it’s not just Day and the Buckeye faithful taking notice. NFL legend Ben Roethlisberger went out of his way to praise Howard on his popular Footbahlin podcast earlier this offseason. “You can tell this kid lives for the moment,” Roethlisberger said. “He plays with fire. You see the way his teammates respond to him? That’s the mark of a real quarterback. I love his passion, I love his control—Ohio State got a dog.”
That endorsement alone is enough to get Buckeye Nation buzzing, but combine it with the tangible results Howard has delivered, and you start to understand the optimism rippling through Columbus. After years of high-ceiling but inconsistent quarterback play, Day finally has a proven field general who doesn’t just wow in workouts but thrives when the pressure is highest.
It’s easy to see why Howard has become the face of this new Ohio State era. A three-year starter at Kansas State before transferring, he arrived in Columbus with a chip on his shoulder and a mountain of experience. That combination proved invaluable last season, especially in close games and high-stakes moments. Whether it was threading a perfect ball through tight coverage against Penn State, or orchestrating a late comeback versus Michigan in Ann Arbor, Howard brought a level of command the Buckeyes have sorely lacked since Justin Fields departed.
Now, he’s surrounded by even more tools in 2025. Jeremiah Smith, the sophomore phenom wideout, returns after racking up 934 yards and 11 touchdowns in his debut campaign. The two are already forming one of the most feared QB-WR duos in the country, with Smith’s route-running and breakaway speed perfectly complementing Howard’s timing and anticipation. Offensive coordinator Chip Kelly—who returned to the college game this offseason—has installed new wrinkles that play to both their strengths, including more tempo and intermediate route combinations that allow Howard to diagnose and dissect.
“Chip and Will are on the same page in a scary way,” one Buckeyes assistant coach told local media. “They finish each other’s sentences. It’s going to be fun to watch.”
The offensive line, often a point of contention for the Buckeyes in past years, returns four of five starters, and the running game—led by TreVeyon Henderson and freshman star Elias Hale—is expected to open up even more play-action opportunities for Howard. Everything is clicking at the right time, and the Buckeyes aren’t shying away from expectations.
“We’re not backing down from anything,” Howard said at Big Ten Media Days. “We know what the standard is at Ohio State, and we’re ready to raise it even higher.”
That swagger is infectious. Ask any of his teammates, and they’ll tell you the same thing: Howard is the guy. He’s the first one in the film room, the last to leave the weight room, and constantly pushing those around him. He’s become a vocal presence in the huddle, on the sidelines, and in the locker room—something this program desperately needed in recent years.
“He’s just different,” said tight end Bennett Christian. “Will walks into a room and you feel it. That presence. That command. You want to go to battle with him.”
And while much of the offseason talk in the Big Ten has focused on incoming programs like USC and Oregon shaking up the hierarchy, Ohio State seems unfazed. In fact, the players have said they’re welcoming the added competition.
“It’s just more teams we get to dominate,” defensive end Jack Sawyer said with a grin. “Let them come to the Shoe and see what it’s like.”
Of course, no season is ever guaranteed. The Buckeyes face a gauntlet schedule that includes road trips to Michigan State, Penn State, and a November showdown in Autzen Stadium against Oregon. The season finale? A revenge opportunity at home versus Michigan, the lone blemish on last year’s otherwise perfect run.
But with Howard at the helm, the locker room has a quiet confidence. There’s no panic. No drama. No quarterback controversy. Just a singular mission: win a second straight national title, this time without any doubts.
For Ryan Day, Howard might just be the quarterback he’s been waiting for his entire head coaching career. One who doesn’t need coddling, who elevates those around him, and who can take a game plan and execute it with ruthless precision.
“He’s already one of the most complete quarterbacks we’ve had,” Day said. “His football IQ is elite. He doesn’t just run the play—we trust him to change things at the line, recognize coverages, and make the right calls. He sees the game like a coach.”
The NFL is watching closely, too. If Howard replicates or exceeds his 2024 output, he’s a lock to be a Day 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Scouts are already enamored with his size (6’5”), his arm strength, and, most importantly, his leadership. Roethlisberger’s comments on Footbahlin didn’t come from nowhere—they reflect a growing sentiment among NFL evaluators that Howard is built for the next level.
But for now, Buckeye Nation is just glad he’s theirs. In a college football landscape defined by transfer chaos and NIL deals, Howard’s arrival was a blessing—and his legacy is still being written.
One year ago, Will Howard arrived in Columbus as a talented transfer with something to prove. Today, he’s a national champion, a captain, and the centerpiece of one of college football’s most dynamic teams. The future? It’s not just bright—it’s blazing.
And if you’re an Ohio State fan, buckle up. The Will Howard era is already legendary—and it’s far from over.