Could Will Howard Be A Top 5 Quarterback Prospect In The 2025 NFL Draft?

College football fans disagree on Ohio State quarterback Will Howard's NFL projection.

Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Will Howard (18) practices for the College Football Playoff against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Jan. 18, 2025. | Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Former Kansas State Wildcats quarterback Will Howard was likely an afterthought in NFL Draft talks a year ago.

That's what a championship run can do for you. Howard and the Ohio State Buckeyes won the title Monday night, elevating Howard to mix himself with names like Quinn Ewers and Jalen Milroe amongst the top quarterbacks on the board in April. Howard's phenomenal postseason featured 1,150 passing yards, eight touchdowns, two interceptions, and a National Championship Offensive MVP award.

Some fans believe he's done enough in his fifth year to put himself in the conversation.

"Listen, say what you want but Will in the right situation can have success," one user said. "Let him go to the Niners with Shanahan and see what happens."

Listen, say what you want but Will in the right situation can have success. Let him go to the Niners with Shanahan and see what happens.

— Dirt McGirt (@fedXsmoker) January 20, 2025

Still, some are unsure of Howard's Ohio State success translating to the NFL. The Buckeyes boasted a plethora and the best defense in the country; it's not a guarantee he gets the same in the league.

He has the best WRs that’s always a knock unless his numbers are silly good. Which they aren’t.

He can still be legendary like Craig K.

— Cleveland Fan Stuck in Philly (@0H__I0) January 20, 2025

But many used that as an argument to Howard's advantage. Even as a potential top-five signal-caller, he likely won't be selected until Day 2 at the earliest. He can be a mid-round selection to a contending unit that maybe just needs one or two more pieces to compete.

He’s in a perfect spot to be drafted by a reasonably good team where he can continue to develop instead of some loser team with a top 10 draft choice, that will put him on the field with a crappy offense

— 614Rob (@ro145676) January 20, 2025

But in the meantime, Howard and Ohio State will celebrate their first title in a decade.

Jayden Armant is a graduate of the Howard University School of Communications and a contributor to Kansas State Wildcats on SI. He can be reached at jaydenshome14@gmail.com or follow him on Twitter @jaydenarmant.