Best 5-Star Quarterback Will Howard Decommits from Ohio State and Flips Commitment to Texas Longhorns Over Georgia Bulldogs and Alabama

In the ever-evolving world of college football recruiting, few moments carry as much weight and intrigue as the decommitment of a 5-star quarterback, especially when that decommitment involves a player of Will Howard’s caliber. For the last several months, Howard had been locked in with the Ohio State Buckeyes, one of the premier programs in the nation, but the tides of recruitment have shifted dramatically. In a shocking turn of events, Will Howard has officially decommitted from Ohio State and flipped his commitment to the Texas Longhorns, leaving a trail of disappointment for both Ohio State fans and the other top programs that were vying for his signature, including Georgia and Alabama.

This decision has set the college football world abuzz. Howard’s commitment to Texas is not only a statement about the strength and appeal of the Longhorns’ program but also a reminder of the constant changes that take place in the world of recruiting. Here, we’ll dive into the details of Howard’s commitment flip, why he chose Texas over the Bulldogs and Crimson Tide, and what this means for both Howard and the programs involved.

Will Howard’s Recruiting Journey: A Recap

Will Howard’s recruitment has been one of the most high-profile stories in the 2025 class, and for good reason. Standing at 6-foot-5 and weighing in at 215 pounds, Howard possesses the ideal frame for a modern-day quarterback. His arm strength, combined with an ability to make all the throws from various platforms, has drawn comparisons to some of the best quarterbacks in recent college football history. Howard’s impressive high school career, which has featured remarkable performances both in the pocket and on the run, has earned him a spot among the top quarterbacks in his class.

Initially, Howard committed to Ohio State back in 2024 after a whirlwind recruitment process. The Buckeyes, with their track record of developing NFL-caliber quarterbacks under head coach Ryan Day, seemed like a natural landing spot for a player of Howard’s talent. Ohio State’s high-powered offense, led by Day’s innovative offensive schemes, appeared to be the perfect fit for Howard’s skill set. Fans and analysts alike believed that Howard could be the next star quarterback to lead the Buckeyes back to national prominence.

However, as is often the case in recruiting, the dynamics of a player’s recruitment are constantly shifting. Despite his initial commitment to Ohio State, Howard continued to visit other programs, including Texas, Alabama, and Georgia, schools that have been successful in their own right when it comes to producing elite quarterbacks. Each of these programs presents unique opportunities and challenges, and Howard’s decision to flip to Texas represents the culmination of those factors.

The Texas Longhorns’ Appeal

The Role of Steve Sarkisian

While many expected Will Howard to honor his commitment to Ohio State, one of the driving forces behind his eventual decision to flip to Texas was the role of Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian. Sarkisian, a former offensive coordinator at Alabama and USC, has a reputation for developing quarterbacks and running offenses that put their signal-callers in the best positions to succeed. The hiring of Sarkisian was a turning point for Texas, which had experienced some inconsistency at the quarterback position in recent years. Sarkisian’s ability to develop quarterbacks was a major draw for Howard, who recognized that Texas could provide him with the platform to elevate his game to the next level.

Sarkisian’s offense is known for its versatility and emphasis on quarterback play, with an understanding of how to create mismatches for opposing defenses. With an already established quarterback in Quinn Ewers, Sarkisian’s ability to coach and mentor quarterbacks while maintaining a high level of offensive efficiency was a major factor in Howard’s decision. Ewers’ success at Texas, combined with the Longhorns’ resurgence as a national contender, made the Longhorns an enticing option for Howard.

Additionally, Texas has a strong track record of landing elite recruits and returning to the national stage after years of mediocrity. Howard likely sees an opportunity to join a team that is on the rise, and his commitment is a further indication that the Longhorns are back as a national power. Howard’s decision to decommit from Ohio State and commit to Texas is a bold statement that shows the growing confidence around the Texas program.

The Future at Texas

With Howard joining the Longhorns, Texas now has an embarrassment of riches at quarterback for the foreseeable future. Howard, paired with Ewers and other high-profile recruits that the Longhorns have added, provides Sarkisian with a stable of quarterbacks capable of leading the program for years to come. Texas has one of the best recruiting pipelines in the country, and adding Howard to the mix only strengthens their claim as one of the premier programs in the nation.

Howard will also benefit from Texas’ strong receiving corps, led by talented wide receivers who have helped elevate the Longhorns’ offense to new heights. With playmakers like Xavier Worthy and Johntay Cook at his disposal, Howard has the potential to put up eye-popping statistics, and the Longhorns’ high-octane offense could be an ideal setting for his skill set.

The Competition: Georgia and Alabama

Georgia’s Pursuit of Howard

Georgia, under head coach Kirby Smart, has emerged as one of the most dominant teams in college football, particularly in terms of recruiting. With back-to-back national championships and an ever-growing pipeline of elite talent, the Bulldogs had hoped to land Howard as their future quarterback. However, despite their strong pitch, Georgia couldn’t quite seal the deal.

Georgia’s offensive system is geared toward running the ball and controlling the clock, and while they have produced high-level quarterbacks such as Stetson Bennett, they have been more reliant on defense and special teams for their recent success. Howard would have been a great addition to the Georgia roster, but perhaps his vision of an offense built around him wasn’t as aligned with Georgia’s philosophy as it was with Texas’ more quarterback-friendly system. Georgia is certainly a national powerhouse, but the allure of playing in a high-octane offense at Texas likely outweighed the Bulldogs’ more balanced attack.

Alabama and the Legacy of Quarterback Development

Alabama, under Nick Saban, has long been known for producing NFL-caliber talent, and the Crimson Tide has had a strong record of developing quarterbacks such as Tua Tagovailoa, Mac Jones, and Bryce Young. However, recent questions have arisen about Alabama’s quarterback situation. While the program has consistently produced top-tier quarterbacks, the inconsistency at the position in recent years may have made some top recruits hesitant.

Will Howard was certainly intrigued by the prospect of playing for Saban and following in the footsteps of recent Alabama quarterbacks. However, the combination of Texas’ rising profile, Sarkisian’s offensive expertise, and the Longhorns’ overall appeal likely tipped the scale in their favor. While Alabama remains a juggernaut in college football, Howard’s decision to commit to Texas signals that the Longhorns are becoming a formidable contender in the quarterback recruiting landscape.

What This Means for Ohio State

For Ohio State, Howard’s decommitment is a painful blow. The Buckeyes have been known as one of the top programs for producing quarterbacks under Ryan Day, and Howard was expected to be the next in line to lead the offense. Ohio State had been banking on Howard’s commitment to be the centerpiece of their 2025 class, but now they must pivot and reassess their quarterback strategy.

While Ohio State is still a premier destination for top quarterbacks, the loss of Howard will force the Buckeyes to intensify their efforts in recruiting another top-tier signal-caller. The program has other highly-rated quarterbacks on their radar, but it’s clear that Howard’s departure leaves a void that will be difficult to fill.