Ohio State has found its new starting quarterback.
Former Kansas State star QB Will Howard committed to the Buckeyes on Thursday, a source tells 247Sports.
Howard, one of the top quarterbacks to enter the transfer portal this cycle, threw for 2,643 yards with 24 passing touchdowns and nine additional rushing TDs at Kansas State this season.
Howard, who is in the midst of a visit to Ohio State, will be the Buckeyes’ replacement for Kyle McCord, who left Ohio State and transferred to Syracuse after serving as the Buckeyes’ starting QB this season. Howard previously visited schools such as Miami and USC and at one point seemed to be trending toward ending up with the Trojans. However, he emerged as a person of interest and legitimate possibility for Ohio State in recent weeks and is now set to officially join the Buckeyes.
Aided by Howard, Kansas State finished the regular season 8-4 after posting a 10-4 record and winning the Big 12 title last season.
“There’s nothing at all wrong with with my relationship with Will Howard,” Kansas State head coach Chris Klieman said after Howard entered the transfer portal in early December. “It’s very strong. I love the kid. We shared an awful lot this week when I had an opportunity. I’ve got nothing but respect for him and I appreciate what he did for K-State and what he’s done for me and my family. I believe that’s reciprocated with what I’ve done for Will and his family. So nothing but admiration for him. One thing I know is I want the best for Will Howard.”
What is the NCAA transfer portal?
The portal is an online database that players will enter their name into if they decide to pursue a transfer. Players notify their current school’s compliance office that they wish to put their name into the portal — typically, players’ names show up within 48 hours. Coaches have access to the database and can contact any player who has entered.
Check out 247Sports’ ranking of the top college football transfers.
When will the transfer portal open?
Technically, players can enter the portal at any time. But unless they do so within their sport’s official “windows,” they will have to sit out one season. College football has two windows: one following the regular season and one following spring practice. The fall portal window opens Dec. 3, one day after conference championship games. It will remain open for 30 days, closing at the end of the day on Jan. 2, 2024. Players who compete in a postseason contest (the CFB Playoff or a bowl game) will be given an additional five-day window to transfer after their final contest.
Prior to this school year, players had 45 days to enter their name in the portal following the end of the regular season. The NCAA amended that rule this fall, cutting down the window to 30 days.
Is a player forced to leave his school after entering the portal?
No. In fact, players sometimes withdraw their names from the portal and end up staying with their respective programs.
Oftentimes, however, the decision to enter the portal comes with some amount of displeasure on either the player’s side or the program’s side. Most players who enter the portal do not return to their previous school, and they’re often removed from the team immediately upon entering.
