Ohio State names Week 1 starting QB

The No. 2 ranked Ohio State Buckeyes have a new starting quarterback entering a season with championship expectations in a new-look conference.

Head coach Ryan Day announced at a press conference Thursday that transfer quarterback Will Howard will start Week 1 for Ohio State when it hosts Akron on Aug. 31.

Howard, 22, transferred from Kansas State in January. He started all 12 games last season, throwing for 2,643 yards and 24 touchdowns. His 24 touchdowns were second-best in the Big 12 , but his 10 interceptions were a point of concern entering the transfer portal.

Howard beat out redshirt sophomore Devin Brown and three other scholarship quarterbacks in a months-long battle where he appeared to always be the frontrunner for the job .

Now Howard will lead a new-look offense designed by incoming offensive coordinator Chip Kelly, who resigned head coaching duties at UCLA in 2023 .

According to ESPN , as of Aug. 7 Ohio State had the best odds to win the Big Ten, which now features new additions Oregon, Washington, USC and UCLA.