Believe it or not, Will Howard has been under the microscope since the moment he stepped into the Buckeyes’ locker room. Initially, Ryan Day had his doubts about making him a starter, but Howard proved his worth. Now, his shaky performance at the NFL Combine isn’t helping matters. It’s not just denting his draft stock—it’s putting his pro future on thin ice. While one poor performance doesn’t negate a championship season, the NFL’s fickle perception can change in an instant.
It appears Howard’s combine performance, intended to showcase his best throws, may have raised more questions than answers. There is a lot of hoopla surrounding Will Howard’s gameplay, especially after the video of his missed throws went viral. It wasn’t just the missed throws but also the overthrows to his receivers, displaying a lack of coordination. Even Locked On Buckeyes host Jay Stephens voiced similar concerns, suggesting his throwing efficiency might hinder his NFL prospects. But OSU’s insider, Ryan Roberts, isn’t buying the narrative. According to him, “this is just a part of the equation…”
“I would say this is that anytime we’re talking about combine performances, we do have to remember that this is a resume-building process, and this is a part of the resume, right? Like, the full resume is not just what he did in a 10-minute throwing session; the whole resume is what you put on film, medicals, character, interviews, and then obviously the on-field things that you did in Indianapolis. So it’s all a part of the resume. So did it hurt him a little bit that he didn’t throw? Slightly!” Roberts said. While Will Howard’s combine performance wasn’t his best, it’s unlikely to drastically alter his overall draft prospects permanently. After all, he recently led his team to a championship victory.
Let’s not forget Will Howard is the same person who threw for 4,010 yards and 35 touchdowns with just 10 interceptions in 16 games. And if we talk about his passing skills, he has a 78.9% completion rate on play-action passes, which is the 3rd best in FBS among QBs. Not just that, Howard completed 73% of his passes, breaking the record of the highest completion rate at OSU set by C.J. Stroud in 2021, which is 71.9%. So, lack of coordination is really not an issue for him.
While his combine performance raised eyebrows, his game tape paints a compelling picture. Under pressure, he thrived, showcasing uncanny accuracy and audacious tight-window throws, notably in the Cotton Bowl against Texas. These were throws a few quarterbacks would attempt. Teams harboring doubts need only review his College Football Playoff footage.
Barring a single interception against Texas, he delivered a stellar performance, radiating composure, precision, and the ability to excel in high-stakes moments. Though the combine’s underwhelming showing may have nudged his draft stock, it doesn’t erase the established truth: Will Howard possesses the skillset to flourish in the NFL. And even Shedeur Sanders feels the same. But did the Buffs QB’s backing go in vain?
Shedeur Sanders’ firm support for Will Howard
The weight of constantly needing to prove oneself, even when facing setbacks, is a burden few understand. Will Howard is living that experience now. Shedeur Sanders, who saw his own draft stock dip after skipping the Combine and Shrine Bowl, knows that pressure firsthand. But in the end, does it truly define a player? After all, Howard showed up, performed, and now stands at a crucial juncture.
NCAA, College League, USA Football: Colorado State at Colorado Sep 16, 2023 Boulder, Colorado, USA Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Shedeur Sanders 2 warms up prior to the game against the Colorado State Rams at Folsom Field. Boulder Folsom Field Colorado USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xAndrewxWeversx 20230916_anw_pl2_0128
Just when it seemed like Howard was left out to dry, Sanders stepped in to back him up. The projected top quarterback in the 2025 NFL Draft took to X to set the record straight: “I don’t understand y’all hating on Will Howard; he just won a natty. It’s hard to throw to WRs that you don’t know; everyone runs routes differently!” Facts. The Combine isn’t real football—it’s just a way to measure coordination. And chemistry with receivers doesn’t develop overnight, especially with guys running unfamiliar routes.
That said, missing open throws is missing open throws. NFL scouts aren’t worried about bad days; they want to see quarterbacks thread the needle under pressure. It’s important to understand that the Combine isn’t the be-all, end-all. Pro Days allow teams to request specific throws to evaluate a QB’s fit in their system, but even then, there are no guarantees. So, with all the support and context, is Howard really a first-round pick? Maybe not.
His Combine showing wasn’t great, but it hasn’t tanked his draft stock either. Analysts still have him projected around the third round, likely near pick 92. The New York Jets are a possible landing spot, especially with Aaron Rodgers’ future uncertain. Even Ryan Roberts sees a real shot for Howard to carve out a pro career: “I believe in him to be a potential good backup quarterback, and I kind of always felt like that, right? Like, at least a solid backup quarterback in this process right now. If I had to put a round grade on him, I think he’s going third to fourth round. I don’t think he’s a second-rounder… He’s going to be drafted to be a high-end potential backup.”
Howard’s first-round hopes might be fading, but that doesn’t mean he won’t find a good fit. He’s unlikely to fall past the third round, and if things shake out just right, a late second-round selection isn’t out of the question. Fate rests in the hands of the draft.
The post OSU Insider Clears Feelings on Will Howard’s Draft Stocks as Shedeur Sanders’ Rescue Act Fails to Turn NFL Fate appeared first on EssentiallySports.
