An NFL prospect can make Ohio State football’s Ryan Day even more appealing to quarterbacks

Posted by author February 25, 2025 Football

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COLUMBUS, Ohio — The NFL Scouting Combine has a lore to it that may seem far-from-intriguing to those outside the league’s circle and the media covering it.

A week of people standing in front of microphones, eating shrimp cocktails and running in – to be frank – underwear doesn’t seem like the ideal setting for determining the best prospects in football.

Still, there’s no denying its importance, particularly to programs such as Ohio State and players such as quarterback Will Howard.

The NFL Draft provides marketing material for college football teams, and it provides life-changing opportunities for athletes. A key part of that journey takes place in Indianapolis each year, and this week is no different.

Howard has a chance to assert himself as one of the most overlooked quarterbacks in his class, and with that, he has an opportunity to add another feather to Ryan Day’s hat.

Ohio State’s coach has repeatedly shown he’s a quarterback guru, but if Howard has a strong week and surges up big boards, Day could reach a new milestone: Turning a one-year portal rental into an NFL Draft pick.

What is Ryan Day’s track record with quarterbacks?

Day has done it all with quarterbacks in Columbus.

Dwayne Haskins (2018)

As the offensive coordinator, Day helped develop Haskins into a Heisman finalist.

Justin Fields (2019-20)

Day brought in Fields as a transfer from Georgia and, across two seasons, made him a first round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.

C. J. Stroud (2020-22)

Day recruited Stroud, developed him for a year behind Fields and then helped turn the California native into the second overall pick of the 2023 NFL Draft.

Kyle McCord (2021-23)

Though McCord transferred to Syracuse after just one year as Ohio State’s starter, he posted 3,170 passing yards and 24 touchdowns in 2023.

Will Howard (2024)

In one season, Howard led Ohio State to the ninth national title in program history while becoming a likely pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.

The last item listed was missing from Day’s arsenal, though it may not be as important of an accomplishment as the others.

But in the current college football landscape, where a quarterback such as McCord can leave before some predicted, showing an ability to develop a bridge quarterback is important.

Ohio State went 11-1 with McCord in 2023 and will likely have five-star prospect Julian Sayin starting as a sophomore in 2025. The Buckeyes needed someone to step in between the two.

Howard provided just that, and in many ways, exceeded what some expected.

Where will Ohio State’s Will Howard get drafted?

Howard is a Pennsylvania native who signed with Kansas State as a three-star prospect in the 2020 recruiting class. Though his four-year tenure with the Wildcats included a Big 12 title, he entered 2024 with virtually no NFL Draft hype, according to a database tracking multiple mock drafts.

That has changed with Howard projected to go in the third round, per the consensus of mock drafts. At least three mock drafts have him going in the first round.

His athleticism is likely to impress considering Ohio State clocked him reaching a speed of 22 miles per hour in a preseason practice. His presence in meetings could provide a boost, too.

Day has shared how Howard won over the Buckeyes when talking to coaches in the transfer process. If he does the same this week, perhaps Howard will be the latest first-round pick on Day’s résumé.