📄: Sixth Round: Will Howard | 📸: Howard in pictures | 📺: Pick Announcement | 📃: How Howard fits with the Steelers | 📃: What to like about Howard | 📺: Tomlin calls Howard | 📺: Smith on Howard | 📺: Howard's combine workout | 📺: Welcome to Pittsburgh
In the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, the Steelers with the 185th pick selected former Ohio State quarterback Will Howard.
Howard, 23, began his career at Kansas State for four years before transferring to Ohio State for his final season, leading the Buckeyes to the national championship in 2024.
The 6-foot-4, 236-pound Howard has classic size for the position. He threw for just over 4,000 yards with 35 touchdowns and 10 interceptions in 2024, completing 73 percent of his passes, also adding 226 rushing yards and seven touchdowns on the ground.
He averaged an impressive 9.5 yards per passing attempt last season.
Take a look at photos of Pittsburgh Steelers sixth-round pick Will Howard
Ohio State quarterback Will Howard drops back to pass against Indiana during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
Ohio State quarterback Will Howard plays against Akron during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
Ohio State QB Will Howard (18) in action against Marshall during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan)
Ohio State quarterback Will Howard runs for a touchdown on a keeper during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)
Ohio State quarterback Will Howard celebrates after a touchdown by running back Quinshon Judkins during second half of the College Football Playoff national championship game against Notre Dame Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Ohio State quarterback Will Howard passes against Notre Dame during second half of the College Football Playoff national championship game Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Ohio State quarterback Will Howard (18) reacts after a touchdown against Oregon during the second half in the quarterfinals of the Rose Bowl College Football Playoff, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
Ohio State quarterback Will Howard looks for an open receiver against Nebraska during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
Ohio State quarterback Will Howard plays against Purdue during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
Ohio State quarterback Will Howard (18) passes against Texas during the first half of the Cotton Bowl College Football Playoff semifinal game, Friday, Jan. 10, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Ohio State quarterback Will Howard plays against Iowa during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
Howard also is a relatively quick processor, despite being an aggressive down-the-field passer. He averaged just 2.66 seconds to throw the ball in 2024 despite attacking downfield.
In his career, he threw for nearly 9,800 yards with 83 touchdown passes with 35 interceptions in 50 career games, 44 of which were starts.
Howard joins former Kansas State teammate Skylar Thompson on the Steelers' roster. The two shared quarterback duties for the Wildcats in 2020 and 2021. The Steelers also have veteran Mason Rudolph on the roster.
Howard completed 70 percent of his non-screen passes in 2024 for Ohio State, showing good touch and feel on his throws. And he got better as the season wore on, playing his best football during the team's run to the national championship.
In Ohio State's final four games, he averaged 287 passing yards with a 75 percent completion percentage, throwing eight touchdown passes and just two interceptions.
He's also considered a strong leader, helping his teams to a 27-7 record over his final three seasons.
