Five Reasons Will Howard will Lead Ohio State back to Prominence

Will Howard picked the right time to be a Buckeye.  Ohio State in 2023 was one or two plays away from defeating who is now playing in the national championship. 

Reason #1 Defense 

The strength of the Ohio State Buckeyes in 2023 was clearly their defense. This revamped defense was one of the top scoring defenses throughout the 2023 season.  With nearly everybody returning of significance and adding who won expert deemed is the best defensive end he has seen in at least 10 years, Eddrick Houston, amongst other incoming commits. 

Reason #2 O-Line and TE

Besides the bowl game, where the starting center was benched and replaced with an unprepared player and a new center that was not able to keep up with the line calls, the offensive line played very well after the first few games, after making some adjustments.  This unit should be even better next year with some new commits, plus returning all but one player.

Alabama's starting center, Seth McLaughlin, with a ton of experience is transferring to Ohio State.  This is a huge asset that will definitely improve Ohio State's offensive line.  The NFL grades describes him as one who plays "with a nasty streak. Solid character and work ethic. "

• Has the football IQ to handle setting protections at the line of scrimmage, and he displays excellent instincts and awareness after the snap, effectively adjusting to twists and stunts.

And the Ohio University tight end transfer Will Kacmarek, once a defensive lineman, whose stats won't jump off the page, is a proficient blocker, an upgrade to Gee Scott, the projected starter coming back.

Reason #3 RB's and WR's

The running back room is likely to return the home run hitter Henderson, TreVeyon and Dallas Hayden played very Purdue with 11 attempts for 6.9 yards in his season debut.  The nation's number for running back out of high school might also be a contributor.  

Buckeyes reload with Cornell Tate, whom Denzel Burke believes is the next Marvin Harrison, and recent commit and number one receiver coming out of high school in the country, Jeremiah Smith.  Likely coming back Emeka Embuka and other five-star receivers on the roster.  

Oh, by the way, Quinshon Judkins, Ole Miss' 2023 superstar RB, the best RB in the SEC, just joined the Buckeyes!

Reason #4 Ryan Day

Ryan Day is it a similar position to win Jim Harbaugh took a pay cut to remain the head coach at Michigan. He gambled on himself, as the university restructured his contract after an unacceptable a 2-4 campaign in 2020, avoiding Ohio State, but losing the year before against Ohio State. 

After taking a pay cut, Harbaugh  went on to have a successful season, defeating Ohio State three seasons in a row.  It feels like 2024 is that season for Ryan Day.   

Ryan Day had had enough when the defense was faltering and replaced the defensive staff.  2 years later Ohio State went from embarrassment to one of the elite defenses in the country.

Now the offense needs revamped.  The offensive line during the 2023 season needed fixed end largely it was.  

Recently Ryan Day committed to hiring an offensive coordinator that will get rid of weak coaches and the weaknesses within the system.

Reason #5 Will Howard

Have you watched Will Howard play?  He gained a 71 yard touchdown against Texas and the league championship. He's a gamer.  He throws to everybody on the field not just focused on one player. He goes through progressions.  He isn't afraid to run the ball but he can just stay in the pocket comfortably just as easily.  His team has the talent of Indiana (about the same recruiting rankings) , yet nearly beat Texas, who has equivalent talent as the Ohio State Buckeyes and Texas beat Alabama, and we're one play away from being in the national championship).  Elevating his Indiana talent to compete with Ohio State talent is very impressive. 

Oh, and by the way, he can run the read option offense, which will open up the door for huge runs for Henderson. 

Will Howard will take the Buckeyes to the next level.