So we will definitely be linked to Ty Simpson in the first round. Someone explain to me how Ty Simpson is a better prospect at this moment or for that matter anyone other then Mendoza is a better prospect. Will Howard played with very good teammates. I fail to see any big knocks against him. Mobile, accurate, good teammate, good enough arm.
Will Howard
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If Haley had a good enough offensive mind, he'd still be coaching in the NFL or for a major college football program. Not in a spring football league which nobody really gives a shlt about. Just my opinion.
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I'm a Buckeye homer but he's got long odds to make it big. National champ, gaudy stats, great character/leader, no size concerns, no red flags, yet he fell to the 6th. Rooting for him if he gets a chance, but don't be sucked in by highlight reels. When he was on he was great, but he's far too inconsistent. Go watch the entire Michigan game that year (I don't have the stomach for it) and tell me what you think.
The two QBs who follow him -- Julian Sayin and Tavian St. Claire -- will be first rounders.
If you don't have time to watch that game, some lowlights in this article.
https://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio...s-performance-in-ohio-states-loss-to-michigan
The two QBs who follow him -- Julian Sayin and Tavian St. Claire -- will be first rounders.
If you don't have time to watch that game, some lowlights in this article.
https://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio...s-performance-in-ohio-states-loss-to-michigan
Howard completed 73% of his passes across Ohio State’s 16 games in the 2024 season, breaking the previous record of 71.9% set by C.J. Stroud in 2021.
Howard was efficient throughout his lone season as Ohio State’s starting quarterback, completing more than 80% of his passing attempts in eight different games to break Ohio State’s school record for career games with an 80% completion rate. He completed at least 60% of his passing attempts in all but one game, the lone exception coming in Ohio State’s regular-season finale against Michigan.
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To be fair to Howard, that Michigan game was a catastrophic coaching dumpster fire. The game plan was one of the most braindead things I’ve ever seen in all of my years watching football.
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Howard is exciting because he won a national championship while putting up monster numbers and is tough, which goes over well in this town. He may stink at the NFL level, or with the right supporting cast he could be a capable starter. It's odd, but it feels like more have confidence in Howard compared to Pickett. The lack of QB depth in this draft also adds to the hype. Fans just want something to be excited about and Howard, as unlikely as it may be, provides that right now.
The Steelers don't necessarily need a franchise QB, they can succeed with a system QB. We'll see which path McCarthy and the front office choose.
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I know his stat line, I saw every game. His pro comp coming out was Blake Bortles. I think on a loaded team with really good offensive coaching/scheming, he could be a bigger Brock Purdy. I think he'll make a good coach some day, too.
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Bellichick is coaching college.....supposedly the greatest coach ever.
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Howard does not have a strong enough arm. Period he never be a winning qb in the nfl. Period. The front office might insist he play but he doesn’t have the arm he can’t make the throws. He’s big and he looks like he can but look at game tape I watched him at camp… he was playing with the best talent college ball had to offer… he had the best. Period they said about sawyer good player no pass rush they were right Howard good qb no arm the scouts were correct on both accounts you can’t play at Ohio state and win a national championship and the scouts don’t go over you with a fine tooth comb. We’ll be wasting our time on Howard time we ain’t got.
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McCord slightly better and nobody is pounding the table that McCord is a franchise QB. Point is Ohio State QB + elite weapons = good stats and success.
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BTW, Kyle McCord's 24 numbers at Syracuse in 13 games
He led the nation in passing yards
592 att 66% 4779 yards 34 TD 12 INT
12 picks isn't so bad with nearly 600 pass attempts. Nobody is clamoring for McCord.
He led the nation in passing yards
592 att 66% 4779 yards 34 TD 12 INT
12 picks isn't so bad with nearly 600 pass attempts. Nobody is clamoring for McCord.
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Will Howard would have lost probably 3 games at Indiana this year. Mendoza isn't about eye popping stats, he's about decision making and lifting up those around him. Indiana's WRs are good at combat catches but don't get much separation against good defenses.
Howard likely would have had multiple INT vs Miami. Howard threw 10 INT at Ohio State with elite talent around him and a simple scheme. Penn State baited him into a pick 6. He doesn't read defense that well and didn't make many tight window throws. I don't think he has great accuracy or arm strength.
I like Howard's toughness and leadership but I don't see a franchise QB. He's certainly not a guy that stops you from drafting a QB.
Absolutely agree. He's already sat for a year "learning from Rodgers." The guy's going to be 25 years old in September. Let's see what he's got. If he does stink at the NFL level, they'll likely have plenty of QB options to choose from in next year's draft.
Maybe. I want to find out if Howard can be better than a system QB. McCarthy can help him get there if he thinks Will has the potential.
Right. He's a head coach in a power four program. Not a coordinator in the UFL.
So what do you propose the Steelers do at the QB position in 2026, then? If Howard's a waste of time?
3 games? You're delusional. Let's see:
Old Dominion. Check
Kennesaw State. Check
Indiana State. Check
Illinois (63-10 W). Check
@ Iowa (Mendoza's worst game, 13-23 and an INT). Check
@ Oregon (average Mendoza game 20-31 and an INT). Check
Michigan State. Check
UCLA. Check
@ Maryland. Check
@ Penn State. (another mediocre game, 19-30 and an INT, in which his receivers made multiple incredible catches). Check
Wisconsin. Check
@Purdue. Check
Ohio State. (mediocre yet again, 15-23 and an INT). Check
Alabama (38-3 W). Check
Oregon (56-22 W). Check
Miami (another sub-60% completion night with all the attention poured on his TD run). Check.
Where's the three losses? Let me guess, Penn State is one, of course. Funny how Howard was able to go 17-21 with two touchdowns and 0 interceptions versus the same Notre Dame defense that your buddy Allar went 12-23 for 135 and a season-ending pick against in the semis. But Howard's the one who can't read a defense. lol
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Anyone with eyeballs predicted Drake Maye
Very well spoken young man. Sounds smart.
Enjoyed when he drew up and described a play on the board at 12:00.
At 17:45…. “How the hell do people not like you as the #1 QB in the draft?” - Gruden
At 16:50 compares him to Josh Allen. Identical size.
Thats enough. I’m sold on the guy!
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I'm not saying that the kid will be "The Guy". However, I'm definitely not ruling out the possibility. He's smart, he's got size, he can move a bit, and he has the arm to make the throws that are required of him. Then you throw in the intangibles like leadership, "want to", etc. He's got a chance. There's articles out there where guys like Heyward, etc. are saying the kid has "IT". They see him in practice and at camp. They would have a better idea than me anyway.
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I’m excited to see what his future holds but have zero expectations as well. It would be great to have scored a hit at the key position that late in a draft. That certainly accelerates a rebuild.
I know I’d gladly take a year of him and another young QB battling it out and may the best QB win.
Having McCarthy gives me some confidence a QB may finally be developed, maybe Howard is that guy.
McCarthy said about the QB in his presser that he wants some mobility at the position.
I'm not sold on Howard being the answer. I think McCarthy will have an eye on guys like Nussmeier & Klubnik.
I'm still leaning toward Nussmeier. Todd McShay, think what you like of him, is high on him as a prospect. I wouldn't be surprised if his draft stock goes up by Draft Day. #21? Maybe.
I'm not sold on Howard being the answer. I think McCarthy will have an eye on guys like Nussmeier & Klubnik.
I'm still leaning toward Nussmeier. Todd McShay, think what you like of him, is high on him as a prospect. I wouldn't be surprised if his draft stock goes up by Draft Day. #21? Maybe.
Thinking round 2 is the highest for Nuss as his down year will impact him I am sure. If he is there in round 3 I pull that trigger..