At OSU’s spring practice, Buckeyes coach Ryan Day does his best to mimic Will Howard.

At OSU’s Spring Practice, Buckeyes Coach Ryan Day Does His Best to Mimic Will Howard

The energy around Ohio State University football this spring has been electric, with much of the attention focused on Ryan Day and the development of the next generation of quarterbacks. As head coach of the Buckeyes, Day is known for his meticulous approach to preparing his players for high-level competition. This spring, however, Day has found himself in the spotlight for a different reason: he has decided to take on a new challenge—mimicking the play of Will Howard, the star quarterback of the Kansas State Wildcats, during Ohio State’s spring practice sessions.

While it may seem like a peculiar move at first, Day’s decision to mimic Howard’s playing style is a deliberate and strategic one. Howard, who led Kansas State to a Big 12 Championship and earned national recognition for his stellar performances, is considered one of the more underappreciated quarterbacks in college football. However, his unique skill set and style of play have drawn praise from many in the football world, including Day. By replicating Howard’s movements, Day is not only working on his own coaching techniques but also providing an invaluable lesson for his team on adaptability and learning from a variety of different quarterback styles.

This move has sparked conversation around Columbus and beyond, as fans and analysts alike try to understand why Day is focused on mimicking another quarterback’s movements in the middle of spring practice. What does this reveal about the future of Ohio State’s quarterback room? And how does this strategy relate to the development of the Buckeyes’ quarterbacks heading into the new season? Let’s break down this fascinating and unusual choice by one of college football’s brightest minds.

The Significance of Will Howard’s Playing Style

Before diving into the reasons why Ryan Day would choose to mimic Will Howard, it’s important to understand what makes Howard’s playing style unique and why it’s valuable to observe and emulate.

Will Howard is often described as a quarterback who combines athleticism with a calm, methodical approach to the game. Known for his strong arm and his ability to make quick decisions, Howard’s play embodies many qualities that are coveted in today’s college quarterbacks. However, what sets Howard apart is his remarkable balance between improvisation and structure. He’s capable of escaping pressure with his legs but doesn’t always rely on scrambling to make a play. Howard’s awareness in the pocket, his ability to make pinpoint throws on the move, and his leadership on the field were integral to Kansas State’s success during the 2023 season.

For Day, who is constantly seeking ways to improve his team and adapt to the ever-evolving landscape of college football, Howard presents an interesting case study. While Ohio State’s own quarterbacks, such as Kyle McCord, Devin Brown, and Tristan Gebbia, each bring their own strengths to the table, Day saw something special in Howard’s ability to balance all facets of quarterbacking. Whether it’s his ability to keep plays alive with his feet or his knack for reading defenses with precision, Howard’s style can be a useful model for any young quarterback to learn from. It’s this well-rounded approach to the quarterback position that has inspired Day to study Howard and bring elements of his play into Ohio State’s spring practices.

Ryan Day’s Strategic Move: Mimicking Howard’s Skills

Ryan Day is a coach who thrives on challenging his players to think differently and expand their skill sets. Known for his cerebral approach to coaching, Day has always placed a heavy emphasis on quarterback development. He has a history of producing elite quarterbacks, from Dwayne Haskins to Justin Fields, and his work with quarterbacks at Ohio State has made him one of the top minds in the game. However, Day recognizes that to stay at the top, even the best coaches need to adapt and evolve.

By mimicking Howard’s playing style during spring practice, Day is not only immersing himself in a unique learning experience but also showing his players the importance of versatility and growth. This exercise allows Day to step into the shoes of a quarterback and gain a deeper understanding of the mechanics and nuances of Howard’s game, which can be directly translated to Ohio State’s quarterback room.

The challenge of mimicking a player’s movements and style is far from easy. Howard’s play is built on a combination of smooth footwork, quick thinking, and strong mechanics. For Day, who is accustomed to standing on the sidelines as a coach, performing these actions himself can serve as a reminder of what it’s like to be in the thick of the action. It can also provide insight into how his quarterbacks feel when they are under pressure or trying to make a play.

Emphasizing the Importance of Mobility and Improvisation

One of the key reasons Ryan Day decided to focus on mimicking Will Howard’s play is the growing importance of mobility and improvisation in today’s quarterback play. While the traditional pocket-passing quarterback will always have a place in college football, the demand for dual-threat quarterbacks who can make plays with their legs has risen exponentially in recent years.

Howard’s ability to extend plays with his legs and find open receivers downfield is one of his most defining attributes. He is a quarterback who can move within the pocket, evade defenders, and still deliver an accurate throw. In today’s game, quarterbacks who can improvise are viewed as a dynamic asset, and Day is keen on ensuring that his quarterbacks possess this skill. By practicing Howard’s movements, Day is working to help his quarterbacks hone their ability to make plays on the move and escape pressure when necessary.

“It’s important for our quarterbacks to understand that the game doesn’t always go as planned,” Day remarked during a recent spring practice. “Having the ability to step up in the pocket, move outside of it, and still make a play is what separates the good quarterbacks from the great ones. Will Howard’s ability to do that is something I wanted to emphasize to our guys, and I thought it would be helpful to model that during spring practice.”

Ohio State has long been known for having strong, pocket-passing quarterbacks, but Day’s desire to have his quarterbacks develop into complete players who can also use their mobility is a reflection of the direction modern college football is headed. Quarterbacks who can make plays with their feet while still remaining poised in the pocket are becoming more of a premium, and Day is ensuring that his quarterbacks are well-prepared to fit this evolving mold.

A Learning Opportunity for Ohio State’s Quarterbacks

For Ohio State’s quarterbacks, Day’s decision to mimic Will Howard presents a unique learning opportunity. The spring practice sessions are the perfect time for quarterbacks to experiment with new techniques, refine their skills, and get out of their comfort zones. By having Day take on Howard’s style, the quarterbacks in Ohio State’s room are seeing first-hand the importance of adaptability and are gaining exposure to a different style of quarterbacking.

Kyle McCord, the expected starter for the Buckeyes in 2024, noted that Day’s efforts to mimic Howard’s playing style have provided a fresh perspective on the quarterback position. “Coach Day is always trying to find new ways to challenge us and make us think differently,” McCord said. “Watching him take on Will Howard’s movements shows that no matter how much you’ve accomplished as a coach, you’re always looking for ways to grow and improve. It’s a reminder that we should always be learning and adapting.”

The Ohio State quarterbacks are encouraged to take note of Howard’s ability to remain calm under pressure, make accurate throws while on the move, and balance improvisation with structure. It’s a lesson that will benefit them not only in practice but also in game situations when things don’t go according to plan. In many ways, the spring practices have become a laboratory for Day to instill these important lessons into his quarterbacks while also developing a greater understanding of the intricacies of Howard’s playstyle.

A Broader Coaching Philosophy: Adaptability and Innovation

Ryan Day’s decision to mimic Will Howard is not just about studying one quarterback—it’s a reflection of his broader coaching philosophy. As a coach, Day is known for being forward-thinking and innovative in how he develops his players. Whether it’s by incorporating new technologies, adjusting training techniques, or learning from quarterbacks with different playing styles, Day is always looking for ways to evolve and stay ahead of the curve.

By mimicking Howard, Day demonstrates that even the best coaches can benefit from being outside of their comfort zones. His willingness to step into the shoes of a player and embody the traits of a quarterback that doesn’t necessarily fit his typical mold shows a commitment to adaptability. For Day, this isn’t just about preparing for the 2024 season—it’s about ensuring that Ohio State’s quarterbacks are ready for whatever challenges lie ahead in a rapidly changing sport.

Looking Ahead: The Impact on Ohio State’s Quarterback Room

Ryan Day’s unique approach to spring practice will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact on Ohio State’s quarterback room. The lessons learned from mimicking Will Howard’s style will help the Buckeyes’ quarterbacks become more versatile, adaptable, and poised in critical situations. As the team moves closer to the new season, these lessons will be crucial in helping Ohio State’s quarterbacks thrive both in the pocket and on the run.

With competition at quarterback heating up for the Buckeyes, Day’s decision to incorporate elements of Howard’s game into his coaching methodology provides valuable insight into how the team plans to adapt to the ever-changing landscape of college football. The spring practices have not only been about physical development but also about cultivating the mindset of a quarterback who is prepared to handle any challenge that comes his way.

In the coming months, all eyes will be on Ohio State and their quarterback competition, but thanks to Ryan Day’s focus on mimicking the versatile play of Will Howard, the Buckeyes are better positioned than ever to field a well-rounded and dynamic signal-caller capable of leading them to success.