Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Will Howard seems to have a big hole in his game that could adversely affect him in the NFL.
Ohio State Buckeyes Quarterback Will Howard: A Big Hole in His Game That Could Adversely Affect Him in the NFL
As the college football landscape continues to evolve, the path to the NFL has become an increasingly complex and competitive journey for quarterbacks. College quarterbacks are tasked with showcasing their skills in a variety of ways, with many needing to excel in multiple facets of the game to make the leap to the pros. Ohio State University, known for developing some of the most successful quarterbacks in college football history, is once again at the center of the conversation as Will Howard, a rising star in Columbus, prepares for the next step in his football journey.
While Howard has shown flashes of brilliance during his time as a Buckeye, there is growing concern among scouts, analysts, and coaches that a significant flaw in his game could hinder his NFL prospects. Despite his immense physical talents, leadership qualities, and poise in the pocket, one glaring hole in Howard’s skill set remains a point of worry: his ability to process and read defenses at an elite level.
In this article, we will dive into Will Howard’s strengths, the potential impact of his weaknesses, and the challenges he may face as he transitions from a highly successful college quarterback to an NFL prospect. We will also explore how Ohio State’s coaching staff might be able to help Howard address these concerns and what his future holds in the NFL.
Will Howard’s Strengths: A Natural Leader and Physical Talent
Before delving into the flaws that could adversely affect his NFL career, it’s important to acknowledge the strengths that have made Will Howard one of the top quarterbacks in college football. Howard’s raw talent and football IQ have allowed him to thrive in one of the most prestigious programs in the country, and his performance on the field has turned heads both in Columbus and around the nation.
Physical Traits and Arm Strength
One of Howard’s standout attributes is his impressive physical tools. Standing at 6’4” and weighing in at around 220 pounds, Howard has the ideal size to succeed in the NFL. His frame allows him to see over the line of scrimmage, while his powerful arm gives him the ability to make throws to all parts of the field. His deep ball accuracy is one of his strongest qualities, and he has shown the ability to throw with velocity and precision even in challenging weather conditions.
While his mechanics are not perfect, Howard’s arm strength is undeniably impressive. In college, he has showcased an ability to push the ball downfield with ease, a skill that will be invaluable at the next level. His deep throws often look effortless, and when he connects with his receivers, it’s evident that his arm strength is one of the best in the country.
Mobility and Poise in the Pocket
Howard is also known for his ability to move in the pocket. While he’s not considered a dual-threat quarterback in the mold of some of today’s most mobile quarterbacks, he has the ability to extend plays when necessary. His pocket awareness is another trait that stands out. He does a good job of feeling pressure and stepping up in the pocket to deliver the football, and he’s not afraid to make adjustments on the fly.
His poise under pressure is another attribute that has allowed him to thrive in big games. When the stakes are high, Howard seems to rise to the occasion, often making clutch throws in critical moments. This ability to remain calm and make sound decisions under duress is something that NFL teams look for when evaluating quarterbacks.
Leadership and Football IQ
In addition to his physical skills, Howard has demonstrated excellent leadership qualities. He commands the respect of his teammates and is known for his work ethic both on and off the field. His football IQ is considered above average, and he has shown an ability to grasp complex offensive schemes and quickly adjust to changing game situations. For a quarterback to succeed at the highest levels, it is vital that he can lead his team, understand defensive coverages, and make quick, effective decisions. Howard’s leadership and football IQ have allowed him to be successful in college, and they will continue to serve him well as he progresses through his career.
The Weakness: Struggling to Read Defenses
Despite Howard’s impressive attributes, one critical flaw has emerged in his game that could adversely affect his future in the NFL: his ability to read and process defenses at an elite level.
Delayed Decision-Making and Over-Complicating Reads
While Howard has shown the ability to make quick decisions in some instances, he often struggles with reading defenses quickly enough to make effective throws. In college, he has sometimes been slow to recognize coverage rotations, defensive blitzes, and the movement of defenders in the secondary. This delayed decision-making often leads to missed opportunities, as Howard can hesitate at the moment of truth.
In particular, Howard has occasionally struggled to make progressions past his primary receiver. In today’s fast-paced college football landscape, quarterbacks are expected to quickly survey the field and identify the best available option. NFL defenses are even more complex, and Howard’s inability to process information rapidly could become a significant hindrance to his success at the next level.
Inability to Adjust to Complex Defenses
One of the hallmarks of an NFL quarterback is the ability to adjust to a variety of defensive schemes. In college, many quarterbacks are able to thrive because of the relative simplicity of defenses compared to the NFL, where defensive coordinators regularly disguise coverages and bring pressure from unexpected areas. Howard has shown a tendency to lock in on his primary target, often making it easier for defenders to anticipate his throws. At the NFL level, defenders are more adept at reading the quarterback’s eyes and baiting him into mistakes.
While he has the talent to succeed, Howard’s current struggles with adjusting to defensive changes could cause significant issues at the NFL level. The speed and complexity of NFL defenses will be much more difficult to navigate, and unless he makes major strides in his ability to read defenses, he could struggle with turnovers, misreads, and inconsistent play.
Inconsistent Decision-Making Under Pressure
While Howard’s poise in the pocket is generally solid, his decision-making under pressure has been inconsistent. In college, he sometimes attempts to force throws into tight windows or make overly ambitious plays, leading to interceptions or missed opportunities. NFL defenses are far more opportunistic, and Howard’s tendency to force throws could lead to costly turnovers at the next level.
He’s shown improvement in this area, particularly in his senior season, but his tendency to become erratic under pressure remains a concern. NFL defensive backs will capitalize on even the smallest mistake, and Howard’s propensity for making questionable decisions could limit his success if he doesn’t improve his overall decision-making process.
The Transition to the NFL: How Howard Can Address His Weaknesses
To overcome the gap in his game and improve his chances of success at the NFL level, Will Howard will need to focus on several key areas as he transitions from college to the pros.
Improving Mental Processing Speed
The most important adjustment Howard will need to make is improving his ability to read defenses quickly and accurately. In college, quarterbacks often have a lot of time to survey the field and make decisions. In the NFL, that window is much smaller. Howard will need to significantly improve his ability to process information, recognize coverages, and go through his progressions in a timely manner. This can be addressed through film study, where Howard can learn to recognize defensive patterns and anticipate defensive schemes more effectively.
Quarterbacks who succeed in the NFL are typically quick decision-makers, able to go through their reads in the blink of an eye. Howard will need to train his mind to react faster and make quicker, more confident decisions. This improvement will be critical in ensuring that he can perform against NFL defenses.
Developing Better Anticipation and Timing
Along with improving his decision-making speed, Howard will need to enhance his ability to anticipate where his receivers will be and throw the ball with more precision. His deep ball accuracy is already one of his strengths, but Howard needs to develop better timing in terms of anticipating where his receivers will be before they even make their break. This will help him avoid forcing throws and allow him to place the ball in more favorable spots for his playmakers.
Reworking the Mental Side of the Game
Improving Howard’s mental processing can also help address his decision-making issues under pressure. Confidence is key for any quarterback, and Howard’s ability to trust his reads and remain calm in the face of pressure will be vital to his success. He needs to learn how to quickly reset after mistakes and avoid letting one bad play snowball into others.
