Ohio State football is one of the most well-known brands in the sport, and it has traditionally been able to get high-profile quarterbacks to Columbus.
From Troy Smith to Justin Fields to Will Howard, the Buckeyes have been able to have some talented players, and while Howard hasn’t put up video game-like numbers this season, he still has been able to efficiently lead the Buckeyes.
Given his leadership and poise, Howard has been named among the 35 quarterbacks eligible for the Davey O’Brien Award, which has been given to the best quarterback in college football since 1977.
Get in the game and VOTE for @whoward_! Like this photo on @daveyobrien official accounts on Twitter, Instagram & Facebook. The top fan vote getters receive bonus Selection Committee votes as we get closer to deciding our National Quarterback of the Year! #DaveyQBs #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/eGntehGh9V
— Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award (@daveyobrien) October 29, 2024
There are a plethora of other Big Ten quarterbacks on the list including Penn State’s Drew Allar, Illinois’ Luke Altmyer, Indiana’s Kurtis Rourke and Oregon’s Dillon Gabriel.
The pool is talented, and Howard is among them. He has the Buckeyes ranked as the 4th-best team in the country and could make a statement, going for a homecoming to take on Penn State this weekend (he was born in Pennsylvania).
That said, with his second top-five matchup of the season, Howard’s legacy will be defined by these few games, and his chance to win the award may hinge on them as well.