Will Howard Vows to Make NFL Teams Regret Passing on Him

After helping lead Ohio State to a College Football Playoff National Championship, quarterback Will Howard is heading into the NFL Draft with a chip on his shoulder—and a clear message for any team thinking about passing on him.

Appearing on a recent episode of Hey Rookie: Welcome to the NFL, the Pennsylvania native opened up about the long road that’s fueled his motivation.

“I feel like my whole career I’ve been overlooked,” Howard said. “I didn’t get offers from Pitt, Syracuse, Boston College, Penn State, Duke, or Carolina—none of them. I tried for years. I went to Kansas State and said, ‘I’m going to prove those people wrong.’ And I still want Penn State to look back and say, ‘Damn, we missed out on Will Howard.’”

Howard carved out a strong college career, first making his mark at Kansas State, where he earned second-team All-Big 12 honors in 2023. He later transferred to Ohio State for the 2024 season, guiding the Buckeyes to a national title and earning third-team All-Big Ten honors, as well as being named the CFP National Championship Offensive MVP.

Now, with the NFL Draft on the horizon, Howard is channeling that same underdog mindset.

“When I get to the NFL, I don’t want you guys to miss out on me,” he said. “Every single team that picks a quarterback before me—I’m going to make it my mission to make sure they regret not picking me.”

He added bluntly: “Draft me. Draft me, or you’ll regret it.”

It’s the kind of fire and confidence that NFL teams often look for in a quarterback prospect. That mentality can fuel growth and competitiveness at the next level. Of course, it’s not a guarantee of success—many have issued similar warnings on draft day, with mixed results. (Josh Rosen famously said nine teams would regret passing on him. They didn’t.)

Howard, a projected mid-round pick, brings a solid foundation to the table. At 6-foot-5, he has the size, mobility, and big-game experience that some teams covet. But questions remain—particularly around his ball placement and decision-making. If he can polish those areas, Howard has a chance to back up his bold words and prove the doubters wrong once again.