The lights were bright, and the stakes were high. And Will Howard stepped onto the field at Lucas Oil Stadium, knowing this was his chance to prove he belonged in the NFL. Every throw, every drill, every measured inch would be scrutinized. But as the Ohio State QB worked through the pressure of the NFL combine, he carried more than just expectations on his shoulders—he carried the memory of someone who never got to see him shine.
For Howard, this journey has never been just about football. His lone season in Columbus was a storybook one — 4,010 yards and 35 touchdowns. But the man he wished could see it all was no longer there to witness it.
On March 2nd, the NFL Instagram account posed this intriguing prompt: “If I could play catch with any person, who would I choose and why?” Texas WR Matthew Golden chose his QB Quinn Ewers as the guy. Oregon’s Dillon Gabriel, meanwhile, picked former NFL star WR Calvin Johnson Jr., aka Megatron, saying, “Who wouldn’t want to throw to Megatron?” But Will Howard’s choice was personal and went further than football stars and legends.
“My grandfather,” he declared. “He passed away a couple of years ago. He didn’t really get to see me play much at my college or high school career. So I know he’d be proud of where I’m at now.” Who wouldn’t be? He won the Buckeyes their first national championship since 2014.
But as Will Howard battled through the highs and lows of the combine, his biggest cheerleader was watching. His girlfriend, Skyler Skoglund, took to social media to hype up her QB, posting a quote from NFL analyst Lance Zierlein—“Brings outstanding size and toughness to the table.” At the bottom of the page, she added just two words, “go willis.” Simple, direct, and full of belief.
That unwavering support followed Will Howard as he worked through his on-field drills. He measured in at 6’4, 236 pounds, posted a 31.5-inch vertical jump, a 9’4-inch broad jump, a 7.14-second 3-cone drill, and a 4.33-second 20-yard shuttle. Although he didn’t participate in the 40-yard dash, his throwing session stole the show—not just for his performance but for the crowd reaction.
Will Howard got cheered and booed
No QB at the NFL combine generated more noise, both positive and negative, than Will Howard. Every passing was met with a mix of cheers and jeers. OSU fans in the stands made sure to show their support, but rival fans, especially from that team up north, let him hear it just as loudly. “I heard them, I heard them,” the QB shrugged it off with a laugh. “Ohio State travels. We’re loved and we’re hated.”
Sep 7, 2024; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Will Howard (18) throws a pass against the Western Michigan Broncos during the first half at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Adam Cairns-Imagn Images
Will Howard’s throws were a mix of crisp completions and a couple of missed downfield passes to receivers Da’Quan Felton and Chimere Dike. But he knows he has more to prove when he leaves Indy. “I felt decent,” he admitted. “I’m my own biggest critic, so I feel like there were some things I could clean up… And I’m excited for my pro day to show that I can spin it a little more.”
He’ll get one more chance to prove himself at Ohio State’s pro day where he can throw to familiar faces, including WR Emeka Egbuka, who opted to not participate at the combine. Fueled by the memory of his grandfather and the support of those closest to him, Will Howard is not just chasing a draft pick—he’s chasing something bigger.
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