Will Howard is a promising quarterback who has been gaining attention due to his performances at Kansas State University, not Ohio State. As of the 2025 NFL draft, Howard is considered one of the top quarterbacks available, but he is not connected to Ohio State University in any way.
NFL Draft Prediction for Will Howard (as of 2025)
Will Howard’s NFL draft prospects for 2025 have been on the rise, fueled by a strong season as a starter at Kansas State. His scouting report highlights a blend of size, arm strength, and potential that teams will likely find appealing. Below is an in-depth scouting report of Will Howard, analyzing various aspects of his game and his projection as an NFL prospect.
Scouting Report: Will Howard – Quarterback, Kansas State
Background & Career Overview
Will Howard, a 6’5″, 240-pound quarterback from Downingtown, Pennsylvania, entered Kansas State as a highly-regarded recruit. After initially competing for playing time behind Skylar Thompson, Howard assumed the starting role during the 2022 and 2023 seasons. Over the course of his career at Kansas State, he has demonstrated development in both mechanics and decision-making, improving his NFL draft stock with each passing year.
During the 2023 season, Howard led the Wildcats to notable victories, including a strong bowl performance and a consistent showing in the Big 12. With a year of starting experience under his belt, Howard has proven that he can lead an offense effectively while also displaying the physical attributes NFL teams look for in a future quarterback.
Strengths
- Physical Tools & Size: Howard has one of the most impressive physical profiles of any quarterback in the 2025 draft class. Standing at 6’5″ and weighing around 240 pounds, Howard possesses the ideal size for an NFL quarterback. His combination of height and bulk gives him a commanding presence in the pocket, and it allows him to see over the offensive line. His size also aids in his ability to absorb hits and maintain his balance, especially when under pressure.
- Arm Strength: Will Howard is known for having a strong arm. He can make throws to all levels of the field, including deep throws, out routes, and intermediate passes, with impressive velocity and accuracy. His ability to push the ball downfield, especially in the vertical passing game, sets him apart from other quarterbacks. Whether it’s a deep post, a go-route, or a comeback, Howard’s arm strength is one of his most appealing traits.
- Pocket Presence & Poise: As a quarterback with experience, Howard has developed solid pocket awareness. While not necessarily an elite scrambler, Howard can navigate the pocket well. He doesn’t panic when pressure arrives, and he can step up or slide to avoid rushers while keeping his eyes downfield. His poise is critical, especially in tight situations, and it’s a quality that NFL evaluators covet in quarterbacks.
- Ball Placement & Accuracy: While Howard has the physical tools to make any throw, his accuracy has improved over his collegiate career. His ball placement on deep throws has particularly sharpened, as he has shown the ability to throw passes in a manner that allows his receivers to make plays after the catch. This is vital for creating explosive plays in the NFL. Additionally, his intermediate accuracy has become more consistent, though he still has some room for growth in terms of short-range precision, particularly in high-pressure situations.
- Leadership & Intangibles: Howard has proven to be a strong leader in the locker room and on the field. As a starter at Kansas State, he led his team through adversity, which included injuries and tough games. He has the respect of his teammates and demonstrates an ability to perform in clutch situations. His ability to rally the team and maintain composure when games are on the line makes him an intriguing prospect.
Areas for Improvement
- Consistency in Decision-Making: One area where Howard could improve is his decision-making. At times, he can be overly aggressive or impatient with his reads. This can lead to forced passes and turnovers. While he does have the arm strength to make some risky throws, there are instances when he will need to work on taking what the defense gives him and not force throws into tight windows. Learning to balance risk and reward will be key in his transition to the NFL, where defenses are much more sophisticated.
- Mobility & Escape Ability: While Howard is not a statue in the pocket, he isn’t known for his elite mobility either. His ability to escape pressure and extend plays with his legs is adequate, but he will need to improve in this area if he’s going to thrive in the NFL. In today’s league, quarterbacks who can move well and extend plays are highly valued. Howard will need to demonstrate more agility and lateral movement to avoid being a sitting duck against NFL-caliber defensive lines.
- Anticipation & Timing: Howard’s anticipation on some routes could use more refinement. On occasion, he waits a beat too long to throw, which gives defenders more time to react and potentially disrupt the play. Learning to throw with better timing and anticipation will allow Howard to maximize the potential of his receivers and avoid throwing into coverage, especially when facing faster and more skilled defenders in the NFL.
- Footwork: Howard’s footwork, while solid, still has room for improvement. At times, his mechanics can get sloppy, particularly when trying to throw on the run or under duress. Proper footwork is essential for maintaining balance, throwing accuracy, and generating velocity. NFL coaching will likely help him refine his technique, but this is an area where Howard needs to be coached up in order to unlock his full potential.
- Level of Competition: As a quarterback from a Power Five conference, Howard has played against high-level competition. However, the Big 12 has been known for a mix of solid defenses and high-scoring offenses. Some scouts have questioned how Howard’s play will translate when facing NFL-caliber defenses, especially since he has yet to consistently face elite pass rushes or defensive backs that challenge him on every play. His ability to adjust to the speed and complexity of the NFL will be a point of evaluation during the draft process.
NFL Comparison
A common comparison for Howard has been to a player like Matt Ryan or a slightly less mobile version of Ben Roethlisberger. Both of these quarterbacks, while possessing similar size and arm strength, relied on their ability to make throws from the pocket and maintain composure under pressure. Like Ryan and Roethlisberger, Howard’s ability to read defenses, deliver throws with velocity, and make difficult decisions in the heat of the moment will be central to his development at the NFL level.
Projected NFL Draft Range
As of now, Howard is projected to be drafted in the second to third round of the 2025 NFL Draft. This range reflects his impressive physical tools, combined with his solid collegiate production and room for improvement. Depending on how he performs at the NFL Scouting Combine and during pre-draft evaluations, his stock could rise or fall slightly, but he is viewed as a potential starting quarterback for an NFL team down the line.
Teams looking for a quarterback with a strong arm, leadership skills, and developmental potential could be very interested in Howard, especially if they already have a veteran starter in place and are looking for a young player to groom for the future. Howard’s upside as a pocket passer with the potential for growth is appealing to teams that prioritize accuracy, leadership, and arm strength.
