Would Will Howard be able to solve Ohio State’s QB dilemma in 2024?

admin | December 31, 2023 | Other Clubs | No Comments

Ohio State football may not find an elite quarterback in the NCAA transfer portal, but it may find some security.

Devin Brown’s chance to provide such comfort vanished late in the first quarter as his left ankle twisted beneath Missouri safety Jaylon Carlies. A month of favorable feedback on his charisma, leadership, and dedication to progress has left OSU with no true sense of his game readiness.

Ryan Day entered 2023 with the opportunity to internally stabilize the quarterback position for the foreseeable future. He exits with no choice except to investigate alternative choices. With another season of possibly outstanding defensive play ahead of him, he must choose what serves the program as a whole over what advantages any one individual.

Former Kansas State quarterback Will Howard is the name most frequently associated with OSU in this search. He performed statistically well below 2023 starter Kyle McCord. He had a quarterback rating of 140.13 and 10 interceptions while averaging only 7.4 yards per attempt. He was ranked 21st in ESPN’s Total QBR, which accounts for schedule strength, while McCord was ranked eighth.

The quarterbacks who make for the closest statistical comps? Probably Maryland’s Taulia Tagovailoa, whose consistency issues in big games are well known, and Missouri’s Brady Cook, who did not exactly shred the Buckeyes on Friday night.

Howard also did not have the luxury of targeting Marvin Harrison Jr. in moments of crisis with near-certain success expectations.

Howard, on the other hand, would bring a level of movement to OSU that has been lacking during Justin Fields’ time. He carried for 351 yards and nine touchdowns, including a 100-yard performance. His game footage reveals a veteran quarterback skilled in zone read and RPO strategies, capable of assisting the Buckeye offense at least as effectively as McCord did this season.

In summary, he appears to be a more sophisticated version of Brown. However, as injuries continue to obstruct Brown’s desire for refinement, the clock continues to tick into a key 2024 season.

Brown has been sidelined with an injury three times since April. At the worst conceivable time, a pinkie finger smacks a helmet. Brown’s ankle sprained as he battled for the last inches of a potential score. None of the setbacks were due to a lack of talent or character in Brown, but they did contribute to another summer of uncertainty at the most crucial position on the field.

At 6-foot-5 and 242 pounds, Howard more closely resembles the physical ideal of an OSU quarterback than some of the more statistically productive quarterbacks who have entered and exited the portal this cycle. He would bring a wealth of starting experience.

But would he come to Ohio State if he wasn’t guaranteed a starting spot next season, something Day refused to give current starter McCord earlier this month? And would a sole offer to compete with Brown, Lincoln Kienholz, and Air Noland include a name, image, and likeness remuneration scheme that makes sense for all parties?

Howard, ironically, appeared to be on his way to USC at one point. However, after Miller Moss took advantage of his Holiday Bowl audition in a way that Brown could not, the Trojans may no longer require Howard’s assistance.

Ohio State needs a quarterback who can accomplish what McCord never could: lift the talent around him to a higher level. However, before Howard can do so, Day may need to improve his talents. That is undoubtedly one of the reasons Howard would find Columbus appealing in the first place.

But, once again, the clock is ticking.