He was insulted by a television talking head. A former college quarterback bashed him repeatedly on social media. A former Ohio State football player and his new teammates had a public chuckle at his expense. But in the end, it was Will Howard who had the last laugh.
Before the College Football Playoff semifinals, FS1’s Emmanuel Acho said Howard was the worst of the four remaining quarterbacks. But after his near-perfect performance against Notre Dame, Acho admitted he was wrong, “He proved he was actually the best when it mattered most.”
Acho also complimented the Ohio State players who put the team ahead of themselves in order to work together toward a championship. Howard and the Buckeyes completely won over this former skeptic.
Former Notre Dame quarterback Malik Zaire spent much of the time before the national championship game bashing Howard on social media. In one post, he questioned if Ohio State fans really wanted THIS guy leading the team with the game on the line.
When Notre Dame closed to within eight points with just over four minutes to play, Howard showed why he was the exact guy Buckeye fans wanted leading the team with the game on the line. He led his team on a nine-play, 61-yard championship-clinching drive capped off by a Jayden Fielding field goal to give OSU an 11-point lead with only seconds remaining.
Howard ran for one key first down to allow the Buckeyes to burn more of the clock and did an excellent job protecting the football on each of his five carries on the drive. But it was a third down throw with Notre Dame coming after him with a blitz that will be one of the legendary plays in Ohio State history.
When the Irish came with a seven-man blitz, Howard calmly lofted a deep pass that was on target to Jeremiah Smith for a 56-yard gain. He didn’t panic when he saw the blitz, he didn’t choke and miss the throw to an open receiver, and he emphatically answered Zaire’s question.
In Jeremiah Smith, we trust 🤝
— Big Ten Football (@B1Gfootball) January 21, 2025
Take another look at the game-sealing 3rd down catch made by the @OhioStateFB star freshman 👀#B1GFootball x #CFBPlayoff pic.twitter.com/6LAE34Emlz
When a former Ohio State quarterback was asked about leading his team to a big win on the same day Howard and the Buckeyes managed just ten points in a loss to Michigan, he replied, “Everything comes full circle.” He smiled while his teammates and media members had a good laugh.
That former Ohio State quarterback’s team did not make the Playoff. But Will Howard’s team made it and went on an epic run to the national championship. Along the way, Howard showed poise, leadership, and the ability to make a big play when needed. Everything does come full circle.
If he who laughs last laughs loudest is true, Will Howard’s chuckle is absolutely deafening because he certainly has gotten the last laugh.