Analyzing Steelers 2025 Sixth-Round Pick Will Howard - The Vessel Playmaker

From the moment he was old enough to stand on his own, it was clear that Will Howard was born to be an athlete.

By the age of two, as his parents Bob and Maureen fondly recall, Will was already shooting baskets—and making them—in the family basement. It was at that point they realized their son was no ordinary toddler.

Fast forward to high school, and, to no one's surprise, Will blossomed into one of the most accomplished athletes to come out of Downingtown West High School in Downingtown, Pennsylvania. On the basketball court, he was a two-time All-Area selection and surpassed the 1,000-point mark during his varsity career.

On the football field, Will's talent was even more pronounced. As a senior, he was named the Maxwell Football Club Pennsylvania Player of the Year. Over the course of his high school career, he amassed 5,308 passing yards and 48 touchdowns. His performance earned him recognition as the 13th-best pro-style quarterback in the 2020 recruiting class and a three-star recruit ranking. With 20 scholarship offers on the table, he ultimately chose to take his talents to Kansas State, with Maryland as a close contender.

As a true freshman in 2020, Will played in nine games, starting seven of them. That season, he set a school record for passing touchdowns by a freshman with eight and finished with 1,178 passing yards and 364 rushing yards. In his sophomore year, he returned as the backup quarterback behind Skylar Thompson, contributing 332 passing yards on 30 completions across six games.

Although he began the following spring as Kansas State’s presumed starting quarterback, it was transfer Adrian Martinez who claimed the starting role. When Martinez suffered an injury, Will stepped in and led the Wildcats to a 10–4 record. In his senior year, he started all 12 games and threw for 2,634 yards and 24 touchdowns, adding 351 rushing yards and nine rushing scores. For his contributions, he earned Honorable Mention Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year honors and was named to the All-Big 12 Second Team by his coaches.

Following this standout season, Will made the decision to transfer to Ryan Day’s Ohio State Buckeyes—a move that would lead to the most successful chapter of his career, capped by a national championship victory over the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. That season, he recorded career highs with 4,010 passing yards, 35 touchdown passes, and a 73.0% completion rate. In the championship game against Notre Dame, Will delivered a stellar performance, completing 17 passes for 231 yards and two touchdowns, along with 57 rushing yards. His efforts earned him the title of the game's Most Valuable Player.

There’s nothing flashy about Will Howard’s tape—and that’s precisely what makes him so effective. He is a disciplined, system-oriented quarterback who processes information quickly and executes plays with precision.

While some critics have questioned the overall strength of his arm, what we’ve observed is a player who, when placed in the right system, has the ability not only to elevate an offense but also to lead his team to meaningful victories.

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Throwing In Tight Windows

Howard may not possess the strongest arm, but on short to intermediate throws, he demonstrates impressive velocity and precise ball placement. What stands out immediately after the snap is how quickly he progresses through his reads before deciding to throw. Once the ball is released, he consistently locates his target, even in the presence of nearby defenders.

In this clip from the Cotton Bowl against Texas, he showcases three essential traits of an efficient quarterback. First, despite the snap being slightly low and wide, he handles it cleanly and transitions into his setup seamlessly. Second, he remains committed to his read progression, maintaining composure in the pocket despite pressure collapsing from the right. He subtly climbs the pocket to evade the sack while staying locked into his progressions. Finally, upon identifying the Buckeyes receiver running an in-route, he delivers a perfectly placed pass—leading his target in stride while keeping it beyond the reach of three converging Longhorn defenders. The result is pin-point accuracy and a well-executed play under pressure.

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Underrated Accuracy

This next clip showcases not only Will’s pinpoint accuracy, but also his elite ball placement—an aspect of his game that deserves far more recognition.

One of Will’s signature traits as a quarterback is the quick release he displays immediately after the snap. On this play, he expertly executes a play-action fake to Buckeyes running back TreVeyon Henderson. Even while selling the fake, Will stays locked in—scanning the field, reading the defense, and working through his progressions with poise, one of his clear strengths.

Before the Northwestern defense can even fully settle into its coverage, Will identifies the receiver streaking up the seam. He fires a strike that carries just the right amount of touch to clear the underneath coverage, yet remains on a flat trajectory to prevent the defender from making a play on the ball.

The precision of this throw exemplifies top-tier quarterback play, resulting in a substantial gain for the Buckeyes.

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High-Level Mobility

Even dating back to his high school days, Will’s most dangerous weapon has consistently been his legs. A dynamic athlete, he’s always had the ability to threaten defenses with his mobility when plays break down. At his Pro Day, Will turned heads with a 4.59-second 40-yard dash and a 36.5-inch vertical jump—elite numbers for a quarterback and a clear testament to his explosiveness. That athleticism isn’t just measurable—it translates directly to the tape, where his escapability and playmaking ability outside the pocket are on full display.

Among the many highlights showcasing Will’s ability to be a dynamic threat in open space, this play from his tenure at Kansas State stands out as a premier example. Executing a well-designed run-pass option, Will keeps the ball and bursts through the heart of the Texas defense. Once he reaches the edge, he shifts into another gear, sprinting 71 yards to the house for a touchdown.

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Historically, very few sixth-round draft picks over the past three decades have gone on to become starting quarterbacks in the NFL—the most iconic being Tom Brady, widely regarded as the greatest quarterback of all time. Will, without question, faces a steep path if he hopes to reach similar heights. However, his capacity to grow and continually expand an already impressive skill set positions him as the type of player who could, one day, assume the role of starting quarterback. At the very least, he has the potential to become one of the league’s most dependable and valued backups.