Pat McAfee Makes Tough Will Howard Announcement That Left Him ‘Baffled’ Over College Football’s Rising Problem

The Ohio State Buckeyes are just one win away from a national championship, and it’s all thanks to Will Howard, their standout QB. He’s led them through 13 victories this season, proving to be the driving force behind their success. It’s ironic that even Ryan Day had doubts about Howard when he arrived through the transfer portal. But Howard has proven everyone wrong. He’s like the underdog in ‘The Karate Kid’—nobody saw him coming, but he’s a true warrior. Pat McAfee is right; people are sleeping on this guy.

Surprisingly, college football is facing a growing issue where talented players struggle to receive the recognition they deserve. It has become all about NIL deals, flashy plays, and big names, rather than consistent performance and solid gameplay.

Talking about the situation Pat McAfee noted how, “Everybody’s talking about Shedeur (Sanders), Jalen Milroe, Quinn Ewers, and Cam Ward,” in the NFL Draft. “Nobody’s talking about Will Howard, except for us. And I didn’t talk about Will Howard all year. I like this guy. I like him a lot… I think Mel Kiper is projecting him to be in the fourth round. I am baffled by that, especially with what he’s been doing on the biggest stages that you can get in college ba-l.”

Quarterbacks like Shedeur, Cam, and Milroe are all projected to go in the first round, but Howard’s stats are just as good. Being picked in the fourth round feels unfair and is surely not what he deserves. In fact, NFL draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. just released his top 10 QB rankings, and guess what? The quarterback who just led his team to the national championship game isn’t even in the top five! He’s stuck at number six. Meanwhile, all the other usual suspects are hogging the top spots.

Will Howard has been quite exceptional this season. The Buckeyes QB completed an impressive 72.6% of his passes for 3,799 yards and made 33 touchdowns. Yet, he still fails to receive the hype of a first-round pick. The game has undoubtedly changed, but not for the better. Plus, Howard has put up impressive numbers and handled the pressure of leading one of college football’s most prominent programs.

In the game against Michigan, he went 19 of 33 for 175 yards and a touchdown. Even in defeat, he displayed his composure and determination, proving his ability to perform under the brightest spotlight.

It’s crazy how underrated Will Howard is. Howard’s been so consistent this season, making smart decisions and coming up big in clutch moments. He’s a first-round talent for sure. But when will he finally get the recognition he deserves for leading the Buckeyes to the finals?

Will Will Howard lead the Buckeyes to glory?

Well, it’s evident that Ryan Day hasn’t lacked talented quarterbacks. Just take the example of Kyle McCord, Howard’s predecessor, who showed how effective the Buckeyes can be when the right arm leads the offense. But even with McCord’s success, they couldn’t quite break through. There enters Will Howard.

This kid has done what CJ Stroud and Justin Fields couldn’t do. Yes, you read that right, and now the Buckeyes are just one win away from their first championship since 2014. It’s Howard who’s got that extra spark that’s pushing the Buckeyes to new heights.

Moreover, even Coach Meyer believes Will is an exceptional player. Urban Meyer said back in Jan ’24. “I love Will Howard..I’ve watched him closely. The No. 1 thing is he’s a winner, and he’s tough… Is he going to be the No. 1 pick or the No. 2 pick? Probably not in the NFL draft, but he wins, and he’s tough.” Even though Urban Meyer nailed it praising his efforts for the team, he also pointed out the same thing as McAfee: that his draft situation is cloudy because of Shedeur, Cam, and even Quinn Ewers.

However, Will Howard has proven time and again that he’s a born winner, and that mentality is contagious. He’s not just elevating the team; he’s pushing Ryan Day to raise his own game. Additionally, the Miami Dolphins and other teams may have an interest in him, and if he signs with them, Howard could potentially replace Tua Tagovailoa.

Now that Ohio State’s headed to its final game against Notre Dame, it’ll be exciting to see if Will Howard can unleash his impressive passing skills one last time this season. If he does, the Buckeyes could be on the verge of clinching that ultimate championship title.