Reports: Ohio State lands K-State QB Will Howard

Field Level Media|published: Thu 4th January, 19:07 2024

Nov 25, 2023; Manhattan, Kansas, USA; Kansas State Wildcats quarterback Will Howard (18) celebrates a touchdown in the third quarter against the Iowa State Cyclones at Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium. credits: Scott Sewell-USA TODAY Sports

Will Howard is Ohio State's solution at quarterback.

The prolific Kansas State veteran is transferring to the Buckeyes, ESPN and On3 reported Thursday.

Howard was a popular target in the transfer portal, with Southern California and Miami also wooing him. It was reported earlier in the week that Howard would visit the Buckeyes' campus in Columbus, Ohio.

Howard spent four seasons with the Wildcats and holds the school record with 48 career passing touchdowns. In 2023, he tied the school single-season record of 24 TDs set by Ell Roberson in 2003.

"When I started talking to Ohio State, everything kind of lined up," Howard told ESPN. "I had a list of things I was looking for, in terms of needing to go somewhere where there was a lot of talent around me and ... compete for a national championship."

Last year's starting quarterback, Kyle McCord, transferred from Ohio State to Syracuse following the 2023 regular season.

Quarterbacks Devin Brown and Lincoln Kienholz completed 10 of 23 pass attempts for 106 yards as stand-ins during a 14-3 loss to Missouri in the Cotton Bowl.

With Howard at the helm, Kansas State went 8-4 in 2023. He threw 15 TD passes in his final six games and posted a four-TD performance against Texas. Howard also had a big game against the same Mizzou team that manhandled Ohio State in the bowl game (270 yards, three TD passes in a 30-27 loss in September).

Howard helped guide Kansas State to a memorable 31-28 overtime upset of TCU in the 2022 Big 12 championship game.

He passed for 5,786 yards and threw 25 interceptions in 34 games (27 starts) for the Wildcats. He also rushed for 19 touchdowns.

—Field Level Media