Will Howard Delivers Powerful Ohio State Quote Praising Ryan Day and the Program That Transformed His Life and Game Forever

Will Howard didn’t just transfer to Ohio State for a fresh start—he came for a legacy-defining opportunity. And now, months into his Buckeye tenure, the former Kansas State quarterback has made it clear: the move has already changed his life. In a powerful statement reverberating throughout the Woody Hayes Athletic Center and beyond, Howard said, “Coach Day and Ohio State didn’t just make me a better quarterback—they reminded me why I love the game.”

In an era when player movement via the transfer portal is more common than ever, Howard’s transition stands out—not for the destination, but for the emotional and personal impact it’s had on the veteran quarterback. After leading Kansas State to a Big 12 title in 2022 and a solid 2023 campaign, Howard surprised many by entering the portal. The decision to leave a place where he had become a household name wasn’t easy. But as Howard tells it now, it was necessary.

“I needed more than just another system or new receivers,” Howard said during a recent team event. “I needed to grow again—as a player, but more importantly, as a person. And Coach Day saw that before I even said it.”

Ryan Day, known for his quarterback development acumen and calm, intellectual leadership style, had long admired Howard’s toughness and football IQ. When the opportunity arose to bring in a battle-tested veteran with both arm talent and leadership skills, Day didn’t hesitate. But for Howard, Day offered more than just an X’s-and-O’s upgrade. He offered clarity, vision, and belief.

“He sat me down and told me he didn’t want me to just win games,” Howard recalled. “He wanted me to be the guy who set the tone for how we carry ourselves as Buckeyes. I’d never had a coach tell me that before.”

The quote—already circulating widely among Buckeye fans—is being held up as a defining moment for a player who could be the missing piece in Ohio State’s national title puzzle. After several years of quarterback inconsistency following Justin Fields’ departure, the Buckeyes may have finally found their steady hand in Howard, who brings more than just experience: he brings maturity and humility.

That maturity is resonating in the locker room, where Howard has quickly earned respect from teammates. Star wide receiver Emeka Egbuka, who considered jumping to the NFL before ultimately staying for one more year, called Howard “the ultimate stabilizer.”

“He’s just real,” Egbuka said. “There’s no ego with Will. He’s confident, yeah, but it’s not about him. It’s about the group. He’s already one of us.”

The quarterback competition at Ohio State was supposed to be fierce this offseason. Devin Brown, the highly-touted returner, and incoming freshman Julian Sayin—one of the top quarterbacks in the 2024 recruiting class—were both thought to be strong candidates. But Howard’s arrival shifted the dynamic entirely. With his 27 career starts and nearly 5,000 collegiate passing yards, he entered spring practice not just as another contender, but as a leader of the team.

And he’s acted like it.

“Will’s the first guy in the building and the last one out,” said offensive coordinator Chip Kelly. “He’s setting the tempo in the weight room, in film sessions, and on the field. You can’t teach that. That’s lived experience.”

Howard’s quote also speaks to something deeper about Ohio State’s culture—something that Day has spent years crafting. While the Buckeyes have always had blue-chip recruits, Heisman hopefuls, and NFL talent, Day has sought to ensure the program nurtures players’ mental toughness and sense of purpose as well.

“We don’t just want kids who can play,” Day explained. “We want men who can lead. Who can fail, bounce back, and lift up the people around them. Will gets that.”

Howard admits there were moments during his final season at Kansas State when he lost that sense of love for the game. The grind, the expectations, and the intense spotlight had started to dim the joy that once drove him. Now, at Ohio State, he says the flame is back—and brighter than ever.

“I’m not just back to who I was—I’m becoming who I’m supposed to be,” he said. “That’s what Ohio State does for you. That’s what Coach Day does for you.”

It’s that kind of statement that has Buckeye Nation buzzing—not just with anticipation for the season, but with appreciation for the kind of player who’s come aboard. Howard’s journey is now entwined with a team carrying championship aspirations and looking to return to the College Football Playoff after a season that fell short by their high standards.

The weight of those expectations hasn’t scared Howard; it’s fueled him.

“I want the pressure. I want the responsibility,” he said. “When you wear this jersey, you’re not just representing a school—you’re representing every guy who wore it before you. That means something to me.”

Ohio State’s schedule will test Howard immediately. A high-profile showdown with Oregon awaits early in the Big Ten slate, not to mention the always-looming Michigan game that defines legacies. But Howard has been through the fire. He’s played in hostile environments, led game-winning drives, and been under center in championship moments. That experience gives him more than just an edge—it gives him peace.

“There’s nothing that’s going to rattle me,” he said. “Because I’ve already been through the hardest part—figuring out who I am. And now, I know. I’m Will Howard, quarterback at THE Ohio State University.”

It’s a message that resonates far beyond Columbus. In a time when college football can feel transactional, where NIL deals and transfer moves dominate the headlines, Howard’s story stands out as a reminder of something more fundamental: growth, gratitude, and the chance for redemption in a new home.

And his teammates have taken notice. Several veterans have already said Howard has brought a calming, composed presence to the offense. Younger players are leaning on his wisdom. Coaches are designing plays around his strengths. The momentum is real.

But perhaps no one sees the transformation more clearly than Howard himself.

“Sometimes, you don’t know how far you’ve drifted until someone brings you back,” he said. “That’s what Ohio State did for me. That’s what Coach Day did. And now I’m all in. I’m ready to give everything I’ve got—for them, for this team, and for every Buckeye who believes in me.”

It’s a powerful promise. One forged in the crucible of experience and now ignited by belief.

As Will Howard walks into what could be the most important season of his career, it’s clear: he’s not just here to play. He’s here to lead. And with his powerful words echoing through the halls of Ohio State football, one thing is certain—he’s already making an impact that could last long after his final snap in scarlet and gray.