WR Emeka Egbuka raves about Ohio State's likely starting quarterback for 2024

Kansas State transfer Will Howard hasn't been named Ohio State's starting quarterback for 2024. But Ryan Day and OSU brought in Howard via the transfer portal with the hopes that his four seasons of experience in Manhattan could be the difference for their offense, and so far that has been the case in fall camp.

This is according to an extremely reliable first-hand source: fifth-year wide receiver Emeka Egbuka, who is likely to be OSU's top receiver in 2024.

“You can feel kind of his fifth-year presence when he steps onto the field," Egbuka recently told the media (h/t On3 ). "He gets in the huddle, takes command of it, lets everybody know their assignment and what they’ve got, kind of like a field general out there. Has tremendous confidence in his ability, so that bleeds out throughout the entire offense and we’re able to play fast."

Last season's starting quarterback, Kyle McCord, is now with the Syracuse Orange and while he did help lead the Buckeyes to an 11-2 record, he didn't seem to have that "it" factor that many OSU quarterbacks in the past have had.

Howard will, of course, have to prove it on the actual field of play, but he's starting to settle into life as the likely starting quarterback in Columbus, and players like Egbuka are noticing.

“I think it’s something where you’re in a new environment," Egbuka said. "You’ve got to get accustomed to the people. You’ve gotta get accustomed to the new offense. So it’s all coming with time, and he just continues to get better and better every practice.”

Howard threw for 2,643 yards and 24 touchdowns with 10 interceptions last season for K-State while rushing for 351 yards and nine touchdowns. Egbuka caught 41 passes for 515 yards and four touchdowns last season for OSU.