Ohio State’s Will Howard vows to continue to ‘trust God’ even through life’s highs and lows
Ohio State looks dominant in first-ever 12-team field college football playoff.
After knocking off Tennessee in the first round, the Buckeyes eliminated the top-seeded Oregon Ducks in the quarterfinals. Ohio State then defeated the Texas Longhorns in the semifinals to advance to Monday’s championship game.
Quarterback Will Howard will be under center when Ohio State takes on Notre Dame in the highly anticipated championship game.
Howard spent four seasons at Kansas State University. However, he entered the transfer portal in 2023. Howard had the best regular season of his college career in Columbus, Ohio.
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Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Will Howard (No. 18) during the College Football Playoff semifinal game of the Cotton Bowl Classic against Texas State at AT&T Stadium on January 10, 2025 in Arlington, Texas. The Texas Longhorns left the game later. (Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch/USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
The 23-year-old threw for a career-high 3,779 yards and 33 touchdowns against 10 interceptions in his first year at Ohio State. Howard also used his legs this season and scored 7 points.
Former Notre Dame star’s harsh criticism of Ohio State’s Will Howard adds to national championship game hype
The Buckeyes have several players on their roster this year, including Howard, who have been outspoken about their personal beliefs. Howard’s on-field interview following Ohio State’s dominant New Year’s Day Rose Bowl victory over Oregon was one of many moments where the quarterback put his faith on full display.
“First and foremost, I want to thank my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for this opportunity to be on the Rose Bowl stage,” Howard said. “My younger self would be in awe now.”
Ohio State quarterback Will Howard (No. 18) against Texas during the second half of the College Football Playoff semifinal game at the Cotton Bowl on Friday, Jan. 10, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. University. (AP Photo/Gareth Patterson)
Shortly after the Buckeyes were defeated by their arch-rival Michigan in late November, Howard mentioned his faith when asked to share his reaction to the defeat.
“I sit back and think about the opportunity I have here and everything I’ve been through this year, the ups and downs, and it’s all been for my own good,” he said, via Columbus news station WCMH , before reaffirming his unwavering faith. “I know God puts these obstacles in front of us to grow us for a reason. I’m just going to trust the plan.”
Ohio State Buckeyes No. 18 Will Howard carries the ball in the first quarter against the Indianapolis Indianapolis at Ohio Stadium on November 23, 2024 in Columbus, Ohio. The ball runs. (Jason Murray/Getty Images)
He added that an unshakable “trust in the Lord” has proven beneficial in his life.
“No matter what happens, we have to trust the Lord and rely on Him, in good times and bad,” he told NBC4. “I try to read the Bible and pray a little bit. Go back to the Lord and say, ‘I need you.'”
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“When you come to Him in humility, your perspective changes. I dropped everything for Him and said, ‘God, I believe in You. I don’t know why this happened, but it happened. There is a reason.
Howard and several of his Buckeye teammates wore “Jesus Wins” T-shirts to preseason practices.
The College Football Playoff National Championship will kick off on January 20 at 7:30 pm ET at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
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