It’s rare for a monumental figure like Will Howard to leave a program such as Kansas State football before his collegiate career ends.
However, the writing was on the wall for sophomore Avery Johnson to take over the program, steering the program’s all-time leading touchdown thrower to search for a new home.
It’s safe to say it worked out for both parties when Howard transferred to Ohio State this offseason. As an underclassman, Johnson has the Wildcats as the No. 16 ranked team in the country. Howard, with one of the most talented rosters in college football, slots at No. 2.
Ohio State, which is 8-1, saw its lone loss of the season come at the hands of now-No.1 Oregon. Howard’s attempt at late heroics fell short in a 32-31 road loss.
WILL HOWARD DOESN’T GO DOWN AND OREGON WINS pic.twitter.com/hjUVwCzGPE
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) October 13, 2024
Since the loss, the Buckeyes soared back near the top of the College Football Playoff rankings, largely thanks to a personal win for Howard over then-No. 3 Penn State. A native of West Chester, Pennsylvania, Howard proved to his childhood team they were mistaken in not keeping him home.
“I wanted to go there my whole life, they didn’t think I was good enough… I guess we’ll see next week”
The Buckeyes clearly on to Penn State.
Will Howard grew up in Pennsylvania but the Nittany Lions didn’t recruit him. Now he gets to go to Happy Valley and prove himself: pic.twitter.com/rxAcLwsYof
— Adam King (@AdamKing10TV) October 26, 2024
Taking control of one of the nation’s top teams has put Howard on the map. With a bye week in Manhattan last week, some of his former Wildcat teammates got a chance to watch football, including the Buckeyes’ 45-0 win over Purdue.
“I watched some of their game versus Purdue, and they looked pretty dominant in that game,” Johnson said. “I’ve talked to [Howard] a few times this year, between, after or before games, just trying to see how he’s doing.”
