David Ubben of The Athletic recently shared a story that digs into how Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals are changing college football. Former Kansas State quarterback Will Howard opened up about his own journey and the surprising ways money and politics now shape the sport.
Howard’s path has been anything but straightforward. He started at Kansas State, spending three seasons as the Wildcats’ main quarterback.
In his last year, 2023, things shifted. He found himself splitting snaps with freshman Avery Johnson, which probably wasn’t what he expected after being named Second Team All-Big 12.
Despite his accolades, Howard was actually earning less in NIL deals than Johnson. He’s honest about it—he admits he didn’t really understand how these deals worked and, looking back, feels like he got the short end of the stick.
The Journey of Will Howard: From Kansas State to Ohio State
Howard’s time at Kansas State was shaped by more than just football. He says the NIL scene there was tangled up in politics and money, sometimes more than actual on-field performance.
He remembers splitting time with Johnson not because of how they played, but because of the money tied to Johnson. That kind of thing? It pushed Howard to look elsewhere.
He ended up transferring to Ohio State. The NIL offer there was better, and so was the overall vibe. Howard calls it the best move he’s made so far.
Howard’s Success at Ohio State
Once at Ohio State, Howard really found his stride. He led the Buckeyes to a national championship in 2024 and was in the Heisman conversation.
The financial comfort from his NIL deal made a real difference. He didn’t have to stress about money and could just focus on playing his best.
It’s a sharp contrast to what he went through at Kansas State. Makes you wonder how many other players are in the same boat.
The Financial Realities of College Football
Howard’s story isn’t all that rare these days. College athletes are now landing NIL deals that sometimes beat what they’d get as NFL rookies.
Howard, for example, signed a four-year, $4.5 million rookie contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers after going in the sixth round. But the perks he got in college—housing, cars, meals, travel—those were nothing to shrug at.
The Broader Implications of NIL Deals
His experience really makes you stop and think about where college sports are headed. With NIL deals growing, athletes’ priorities are shifting too.
Some might even stick around in college longer to cash in. That could totally shake up how college sports and the NFL draft play out.
The Impact on College Football Programs
For the programs themselves, NIL is both a blessing and a headache. Schools that can lock down big deals for their players have a real edge in recruiting.
But, as Howard’s story shows, money can also stir up tension within teams. It’s a whole new world out there for college football, and nobody’s really sure where it’s all going.
Navigating the NIL Era
Will Howard’s journey from Kansas State to Ohio State—and then on to the NFL—is honestly a pretty fascinating look at how NIL deals are reshaping college football.
The landscape’s changing fast. Players, coaches, and everyone else involved have to figure out how to handle all these new challenges and opportunities.
Howard’s experience really highlights how important it is to understand the money side of things. Making smart choices matters, both for your game and your wallet.
If you want to dig deeper into Will Howard’s story and what NIL means for college football as a whole, check out the full article on Heartland College Sports.
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