The national championship-winning quarterback who left Kansas State for Ohio State's title run before landing in Pittsburgh's developing QB room.
Will Howard spent four years starting at Kansas State before transferring to Ohio State for a final season that ended with a College Football Playoff National Championship. Pittsburgh drafted him in the sixth round in 2025, and he's spent his early NFL career developing behind veteran arms.
Path to the league
Howard started 28 games over four seasons at Kansas State, leading the Wildcats to a Big 12 championship in 2022, before transferring to Ohio State for 2024. Pittsburgh selected him in the sixth round, No. 185 overall, of the 2025 NFL Draft via a trade with Seattle.
Career highlights
In his lone season at Ohio State, Howard completed 73% of his passes for 4,010 yards, 35 touchdowns and 10 interceptions, capping the year by winning the College Football Playoff National Championship and earning offensive MVP honors in the title game. At Kansas State, he threw for 5,786 yards and 48 touchdowns across his career.
2025 season recap
Howard opened his rookie year on injured reserve with a hand injury suffered before the season and was activated in November. Behind veteran starter Aaron Rodgers and backup Mason Rudolph, he did not see meaningful regular-season game action as a rookie.
Sources
- Pro Football Reference: Will Howard
- Pittsburgh Steelers: Will Howard
Player Profile
Background
- Position
- Quarterback
- Group
- offense
- College
- Ohio State
- Hometown
- Downingtown, PA, USA
- Age
- 24
- Status
- active
