Ohio State fans are still soaking in the thrill of their 2025 College Football Playoff national championship win over Notre Dame. Quarterback Will Howard played a huge role in that victory, but his path to becoming a Buckeye was anything but simple.
On a recent episode of the Not Just Football podcast, Howard opened up about just how close he came to playing for Notre Dame instead. That little twist adds a whole new layer to an already wild championship story.
The Road Almost Traveled: Howard’s Near Commitment to Notre Dame
Will Howard’s journey to Ohio State had more than a few bumps. He was actually on the brink of committing to Notre Dame before the Irish chose former Duke quarterback Riley Leonard.
Howard told his story on the Not Just Football podcast, which is hosted by his Steelers teammate and former Buckeye Cam Heyward. He was ready to announce his commitment, but then everything changed in a blink.
A Sudden Shift in Plans
Howard was about to make it official with Notre Dame when his agent called. The news? Notre Dame had just signed Riley Leonard, which completely caught Howard off guard.
He hadn’t even heard Leonard’s name mentioned. Howard admitted on the podcast, “They weren’t even talking about him. So that pissed me off.”
Ohio State’s Gain: Howard’s Record-Setting Performance
Notre Dame’s decision to pick Leonard over Howard ended up backfiring. In the national championship game, Howard broke an Ohio State school record for completion percentage in a bowl game.
He completed 17 of 21 passes—an impressive 81%—for 231 yards and two touchdowns. That performance earned him Offensive MVP and helped seal Ohio State’s 34-23 win over Notre Dame.
Motivation and Redemption
Howard played with a chip on his shoulder. He remembered glaring at the Notre Dame general manager during warmups, determined to prove the Irish made the wrong call.
That fire showed on the field. Howard’s journey from uncertainty to national champion says a lot about his grit and drive.
The Portal Journey: From Uncertainty to Buckeye Glory
After Notre Dame passed on him, Howard faced a tough decision. He thought about entering the NFL draft but instead chose the transfer portal.
USC and Miami both made strong pitches for him. Miami even dangled a big NIL deal, but nothing felt quite right.
A Secret Meeting in Dallas
As Ohio State geared up for the Cotton Bowl, Howard still wasn’t sure about his place with the Buckeyes. Everything changed after a private meeting in Dallas with head coach Ryan Day and offensive coordinator Brian Hartline.
Day told him, “I believe you’re the guy. You’re the only quarterback I’m recruiting in the portal. I think you can come win us a national championship.” That confidence helped Howard make up his mind.
The Best Decision: Howard’s Reflection
Now, Howard looks back and calls joining Ohio State the best decision he’s ever made. His story—going from lost to lifting a trophy—really sticks with you.
As he put it on the podcast, “It all ended up working out, and here we are. It was the best decision I ever made in my damn life.”
Conclusion: A Story of What Could Have Been
Will Howard’s journey to Ohio State feels like something out of a movie. He played a huge role in their national championship win.
He almost committed to Notre Dame, which adds a wild twist to the whole story. That near-miss makes everything a bit more dramatic, honestly.
Howard showed a ton of resilience. He really wanted to prove himself, and now he’s part of Ohio State history.
If you want to dig deeper into Howard’s path and hear his own thoughts, check out the full article on Eleven Warriors.
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