In a jaw-dropping twist that has rocked college football, 5-star quarterback Will Howard (6โ4โ, 236 lbs) has decommitted from the Ohio State Buckeyes and announced his commitment to the Nebraska Cornhuskers, spurning offers from powerhouses Georgia Bulldogs and Missouri Tigers. The news, first reported via social media, sent Husker Nation into a frenzy, with fans flooding X with โGBRโ chants and welcoming Howard to Lincoln. The Pennsylvania native, a former Kansas State standout and 2024 CFP National Championship MVP with Ohio State, brings elite arm strength, dual-threat ability, and championship experience to a Nebraska program hungry for a resurgence. This seismic transfer portal move signals a bold new era for the Cornhuskers under Coach Matt Rhule.
Howardโs journey to this decision is a tale of grit and glory. At Kansas State, he went 12-5 as a starter, throwing for 5,786 yards and 48 touchdowns while rushing for 921 yards and 19 scores, earning second-team All-Big 12 honors in 2023. After transferring to Ohio State for 2024, he shattered records, completing 309 of 423 passes (73.1%) for 4,010 yards, 35 touchdowns, and just 10 interceptions, leading the Buckeyes to a 14-2 record and a national title. His standout performances, including MVP honors in the Cotton Bowl and CFP National Championship against Notre Dame, cemented his status as a top-tier talent. Yet, with one year of eligibility left, Howardโs choice to join Nebraska over SEC giants Georgia and Missouri underscores his belief in Rhuleโs vision to restore the Huskersโ storied legacy.
The decision wasnโt without drama. Sources indicate Georgia and Missouri made aggressive pushes, with Georgia touting its NFL pipeline and Missouri leveraging its 2024 SEC success. Ohio State, where Howard thrived under Coach Ryan Day, reportedly expected him to stay, making his decommitment a stunning blow to Buckeye Nation. Nebraskaโs pitch, however, centered on Howardโs fit in their pro-style offense and the chance to be the cornerstone of a program on the cusp of a breakthrough. With a career 63.8% completion rate and 83 total touchdowns, Howard joins a talented Husker roster featuring freshman phenom Dylan Raiola and a stout defense that ranked 11th nationally in 2024. His dual-threat prowessโ921 rushing yards and 19 TDs in collegeโadds a dynamic edge to Nebraskaโs attack.
Husker Nation is already buzzing with optimism, with X posts proclaiming Howard โthe missing pieceโ for a Big Ten title run. His arrival could elevate Nebraska, who finished 2024 at 6-6, into a dark horse contender in 2025, especially with winnable games against Rutgers and UCLA on the schedule. Meanwhile, Ohio State faces a quarterback void, with backups like Air Noland and Julian Sayin now in the spotlight. Georgia and Missouri, too, must pivot to other targets in the portal. For Howard, the move to Lincoln is a chance to etch his name in Nebraska lore, leading a proud program back to prominence. As one X post put it, โWill Howard in red and white? The Big Ten better watch out!โ