Ohio State quarterback Will Howard has recently been thrust into the spotlight for a performance at the NFL Combine that’s stirring controversy. Although the NFL Combine is typically a showcase for college players to exhibit their athleticism and football skills, it has also become a high-pressure event, where expectations often reach extremes. Howard’s performance at this prestigious event, however, is being labeled as one of the worst in history. But how did it all unfold? Why has his combine performance garnered such scorn, and what implications does it have for his NFL prospects?
The NFL Combine: An Overview
Before delving into Howard’s performance, it’s essential to understand the significance of the NFL Combine itself. Held annually, the NFL Scouting Combine serves as a platform for college players eligible for the NFL draft to showcase their athletic abilities in front of NFL coaches, general managers, and scouts. It is a grueling, multi-day event that assesses everything from physical metrics like strength, speed, and agility to mental attributes such as football IQ, leadership, and adaptability. Every drill, every statistic, is meticulously analyzed to help teams decide who to draft and when.
The Combine’s importance has grown exponentially in recent years. It’s not just a place where players run the 40-yard dash or perform bench presses. It’s a key part of a comprehensive evaluation process where NFL teams scrutinize players from every angle, leaving no stone unturned. For some players, it can make or break their careers.
Will Howard: A Brief Background
Will Howard is a quarterback hailing from Ohio State, known for his strong arm and his commanding presence on the field. He was considered one of the top quarterbacks coming into the 2025 NFL Draft class. Throughout his college career, Howard had flashes of brilliance, leading his team to several key victories. While he wasn’t necessarily the most hyped player in the nation, he was widely regarded as a potential mid-round pick for the draft. Analysts and experts appreciated his potential for growth, given his physical traits and football IQ.
However, despite all the optimism surrounding Howard, he faced challenges at the NFL Combine that would leave many questioning his future in the league. Let’s explore what happened during this crucial event that has led many to label his performance as one of the worst in NFL Combine history.
The Drills: A Critical Breakdown
The NFL Combine consists of various drills, each designed to test a specific attribute that scouts and teams consider essential for success at the next level. Some of the most important drills for quarterbacks include the 40-yard dash, the throwing drills, the 3-cone drill, and the shuttle runs. Quarterbacks also undergo mental evaluations, where they answer questions related to their understanding of football, their ability to process information, and their leadership qualities. Let’s look at how Howard fared in each of these categories.
One of the most anticipated drills for any player is the 40-yard dash. This drill is a pure test of speed, and it’s especially important for skill players like wide receivers, defensive backs, and even quarterbacks. Howard, being a quarterback, wasn’t expected to run an elite time in this drill, but expectations were that he would post a respectable mark to prove his athleticism.
Unfortunately for Howard, his performance was far from impressive. He completed the 40-yard dash in 5.1 seconds—well below the average for quarterbacks. The average time for a quarterback in the 40-yard dash is around 4.7 seconds, with elite quarterbacks occasionally dipping into the 4.5-second range. Howard’s time was a significant outlier, and it raised immediate concerns about his athleticism. Given that quarterbacks are often required to move in and out of the pocket, and extend plays with their legs, scouts were left wondering whether Howard had the necessary speed to evade defenders and create opportunities outside of the traditional pocket.
While a slower 40-yard time doesn’t automatically disqualify a quarterback, it does raise questions about mobility, particularly in today’s NFL, where dual-threat quarterbacks are becoming increasingly valuable. This underperformance added fuel to the fire, and analysts were quick to critique Howard’s lack of speed.
2. The Throwing Drills: The Heart of the Combine
The throwing drills are arguably the most crucial part of a quarterback’s evaluation at the NFL Combine. This is where quarterbacks can truly showcase their arm strength, accuracy, and ability to make different types of throws. Howard’s throwing performance, however, quickly turned from hopeful to disastrous.
Throughout the drills, Howard’s accuracy was all over the place. His throws were consistently off target, with several passes missing wide receivers by yards. Whether it was deep balls, intermediate throws, or quick outs, Howard struggled to place the ball with precision. For a quarterback hoping to be drafted, accuracy is paramount, and Howard’s erratic throws were a cause for concern.
There were several notable instances where his deep ball simply sailed, and receivers had to break their routes to make adjustments. One scout even remarked that his arm strength was overshadowed by his inability to deliver the ball where it needed to be. The criticism didn’t stop there; some experts even compared Howard’s throwing mechanics to a quarterback who had never had formal coaching—something unthinkable for a player of his stature at a top school like Ohio State.
3. The Mental Side: A Lack of Composure
While the physical drills are undoubtedly important, a quarterback’s mental acuity plays just as significant a role in their success at the NFL level. During the mental evaluations and interviews, Howard struggled to answer several questions about his football knowledge. One evaluator noted that Howard often hesitated before answering, as if unsure about the right approach to certain game situations.
At the NFL level, quarterbacks are expected to make decisions on the fly, process information quickly, and lead under pressure. Howard’s struggles with this aspect of the Combine were particularly concerning. Several scouts were unimpressed with his responses to questions about football concepts, and some speculated that his lack of confidence in these moments could translate into difficulties on the field.
4. The Intangibles: Character and Leadership
Perhaps the most perplexing part of Howard’s Combine performance was his overall demeanor. Quarterbacks are expected to display leadership and poise under pressure, especially at an event as important as the NFL Combine. However, some coaches and scouts observed Howard’s body language and felt he lacked the commanding presence they expected from a future leader of an NFL franchise.
During interviews, Howard seemed somewhat disengaged, offering short answers and failing to engage with the evaluators. In contrast, other quarterbacks at the Combine took the opportunity to showcase their charisma, leadership qualities, and willingness to learn. This lack of energy from Howard led some teams to question his fit in their locker rooms, as NFL teams often look for quarterbacks who can lead both on and off the field.
The Fallout: How the NFL Reacted
As the NFL Combine concluded, Howard’s performance became one of the most discussed topics. Analysts and media outlets quickly labeled his performance as one of the worst by any quarterback in recent memory. His poor 40-yard dash, combined with erratic throws, questionable mental acumen, and lack of leadership, sent his draft stock plummeting.
One major concern was the gap between Howard’s college performance and his Combine performance. While he had shown flashes of brilliance during his college career at Ohio State, many were left wondering whether his performance at the Combine was a true reflection of his abilities, or if it was simply a case of nerves and stage fright.
A Future in Question?
The question now remains: Can Will Howard recover from this disaster? The road ahead for Howard is anything but clear. Some scouts argue that a poor Combine showing doesn’t necessarily doom a player’s career. Many players have had less-than-stellar Combine performances and gone on to have successful NFL careers. However, Howard will need to show significant improvement in private workouts and interviews to convince teams that his performance at the Combine was an aberration.
While Howard’s physical limitations may not be entirely insurmountable, it’s his mental game and leadership skills that will likely be the deciding factors in whether he gets drafted. If Howard can regain his composure, demonstrate a better understanding of the game, and showcase leadership in his pro day and other team interviews, he may still have a chance to hear his name called during the NFL Draft. But if he fails to recover from this performance, he could quickly fade into the background of the 2025 draft class, becoming a cautionary tale of a highly touted prospect who couldn’t rise to the occasion.
