Ohio State QB Will Howard’s favorite team growing up will not sit well with Buckeye fans

One of the biggest storylines for Ohio State during the 2024 season will be around the quarterback position. The Buckeyes need improved quarterback play this season and they hope that graduate transfer Will Howard can provide that.

Coming over from Kansas State, Howard gives the Buckeyes a guy who can be a dual-threat quarterback, unlike they had last year with Kyle McCord.

Early returns through the offseason and fall camp have been good on Howard . However, fans of the Buckeyes probably won’t like one particular thing about Howard. Growing up, the Ohio State starting quarterback rooted for one of Ohio State’s biggest rivals.

“Growing up unfortunately I was a Penn State fan for most of my life,” Howard said during his media availability on Tuesday. “I came over to the bright side.”

Howard grew up in Pennsylvania and attended Downingtown West while he was in high school. As a high school recruit, Howard was a low three-star prospect with just a few Power Five offers. Now, the Buckeyes are trusting him to be under center on their way to a national title.

“Man, I'm so excited. I truly can't overstate how excited I am. I’m fired up, man,” Howard said. “I grew up as a kid watching the Big Ten. I’ve played in a lot of places now, at this point in my career, I've played in front of hundreds of thousands, but the Shoe and the atmosphere here, it's different, man. And the traditions, I'm really excited just to experience all of it.”

The Buckeyes are just a few days away from starting their season against Akron at home. When they host the Zips Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET., it’ll be the first look at Ohio State’s quarterback in a real game.

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