The Ohio State quarterback position is not an easy one.
You have a slew of five-star talents around you, and the program brings in some of the most notable wide receivers in the country. That doesn’t set a low bar for the guy under center.
Will Howard is expected to be the opening-week quarterback for the Buckeyes (minus a shocker), having taken the majors of first-team reps in the preseason practices.
Howard transferred from Kansas State, where he was impressive but was far from a Heisman candidate. The expectations on his shoulder will be sky-high, and he’s going to have his doubters.
ESPN college football analyst Paul Finebaum, on The Paul Finebaum Show, gave some interesting comments, suggesting the pressure is on Howard this upcoming season.
“It’s pretty obvious. He better have a big year,” Finebaum said. “He’s got the most talented compliments around him, but the questions continue to be about him, don’t they?”
Suggesting the questions are about him should be in tune with doubting what Howard is capable of and how he’s going to perform this upcoming season. His job might be easy, but hitting those lofty expectations isn’t.
Finebaum was joined by Bill Connelly, who noted just how important a few single games are for the Ohio State quarterback. “Will Howard has to be pretty much awesome throughout, can’t ever have a backward step,” Connelly said.
Howard, the 6-foot-4 quarterback, ended the 2023 season with 2,643 passing yards and 24 touchdowns. he also had 10 interceptions, tying the most in his career. For reference, McCord had 24 touchdowns and six interceptions last season. Howard is going to need to cut down on his untimely throws and raise his completion percentage to get those doubters to calm down.
Paul Finebaum Names College Football Quarterback Who 'Better Have A Big Year' https://t.co/KlIcWOP0g7
— Athlon Sports (@AthlonSports) August 9, 2024
For now, expectations are high, but the doubters will also be ready for him should there be any slip-ups on the horizon.