The 2025 NFL Draft is set to begin on Thursday night with the first round. While Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Will Howard isn't going to be a first-round pick, barring a shocking twist, he is expected to be taken at some point between the second and fourth rounds.
Coming off of an impressive national championship run in his lone year at Ohio State, Howard is one of the more intriguing quarterback prospects in this draft class. There are some who believe that he could develop into a starter down the road. Others don't see him seeing the field at the NFL level.
Throughout the course of his senior year with the Buckeyes, Howard completed 73.1 percent of his pass attempts for 4,010 yards, 35 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. He also ran for 226 yards and seven touchdowns, showcasing some of his athletic ability.
For a team who needs a quarterback but doesn't want to spend a first-round pick, Howard could be an elite option. He has clear arm talent that still needs work, enough athleticism to get outside the pocket and create plays, high football IQ, and elite leadership ability.
With that being said, Howard has received a new NFL comparison shortly before the draft gets underway.
Thor Nystrom of Fantasy Life has compared Howard to current Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph. It isn't the most flattering comparison, but Rudolph has had a very successful and prolonged NFL career.
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Here is what Nystrom had to say about Howard:
"Howard is a solid athlete and a tough runner with goal-line/short-yardage utility," Nystrom said. "Howard might not have any ‘A’ traits outside of size, but the rest of his report card would be filled predominantly with B’s. That, in conjunction with the improvement he showed in the biggest of spots in 2024 give him the looks of a Rounds 3-4 target."
Regardless of where he ends up, the Buckeyes' fan base will be following his career closely. Howard is one of the most loved quarterbacks in recent Ohio State history and his one season with the team will not be forgotten anytime soon.
Hopefully, he ends up with a team who can develop him well and potentially have an opportunity for him to play over the next few years.