Kirk Herbstreit Gives Honest Opinion on Ohio State’s Will Howard’s NFL Future

Kirk Herbstreit Gives Honest Opinion on Ohio State’s Will Howard’s NFL Future

The 2025 NFL Draft is less than a week away, and one player hoping to have his name called is Will Howard, the quarterback from Ohio State.

Howard spent his first four seasons with the Kansas State Wildcats, where his performance was inconsistent. He threw for 5,786 yards, scored 48 touchdowns and had 25 interceptions, completing 58.8% of his passes. After that, he transferred to Ohio State for his final season, where he excelled, throwing for 4,010 yards, 35 touchdowns and only 10 interceptions, with a completion rate of 73%.

Some of Howard’s best performances occurred during the College Football Playoff. Over four games, he threw for 1,150 yards, eight touchdowns and had just two interceptions, completing 75.2% of his passes. He led the Buckeyes to their first national championship since 2014.

Kirk Herbstreit joined “The Pat McAfee Show” to discuss Howard’s NFL future ahead of the draft.

“I think he fits into the NFL,” Herbstreit said. “I think he’s got the size, the arm. He’s got the savvy, the mind where he’s anxious to grow and learn. Someone’s obviously going to take a shot on him.”

According to ESPN, Howard is ranked as the No. 6 quarterback and the No. 98 overall player in the draft, indicating that he is likely to be selected in the late third to early fourth round. ESPN draft expert Steve Muench describes Howard as a “streaky passer” who has just come off an impressive playoff run, demonstrating his ability to hit receivers in stride and throw them open. Additionally, Howard can extend plays and locate receivers downfield late in the play. Muench believes Howard possesses a strong arm capable of making any throw and is quick enough to scramble for a first down when needed.

Muench ranks Howard behind Cam Ward from the Miami Hurricanes, Shedeur Sanders from the Colorado Buffaloes, Jaxson Dart from the Ole Miss Rebels, Tyler Shough from the Louisville Cardinals and Jalen Milroe from the Alabama Crimson Tide.

The NFL draft begins on Thursday and will be on ESPN and the NFL Network.