Why Was Will Howard Drafted So Late? Unpacking The 2025 NFL Draft Surprise

Kade Schaefer Jr. 25 Jul 2025

The 2025 NFL Draft brought with it more than a few surprising moments, and for many football fans, one of the biggest head-scratchers involved quarterback Will Howard. Fresh off leading the Ohio State Buckeyes to a national championship victory, Howard was, in fact, projected by many to be selected quite early in the draft process. Some mock drafts even had his name called near the first round at various points in this cycle, which is a pretty big deal, you know? It really seemed like he was set for a much higher spot, especially after such a big win for his team.

Yet, as the draft unfolded, Howard’s name wasn't called on Thursday, which was the first round. And then, it wasn't called on Day 2 either, which included rounds two and three. This left many observers wondering just what happened. It was a bit of a shock, to be honest, considering the buzz around him and that national championship win. People were certainly talking about it, trying to figure out the reasons for such a significant drop.

So, why did Will Howard drop so far in the 2025 NFL Draft? It's a question that many are still asking, and there are some specific insights that help shed light on the situation. The Pittsburgh Steelers, as it turns out, landed Howard in the sixth round, which was the 185th pick overall. This was a much later selection than many had anticipated for a player with his recent accomplishments, and it really made people scratch their heads, you know, trying to piece together the story.

Will Howard: A Brief Overview
The Shocking Draft Day Slide
Insights from an NFL Analyst: Steve Palazzolo
- Inconsistency: The Main Concern
- System Questions and NFL Translation
The National Championship Boost and What Came Next
A Complicated Player with Potential
Will Howard's Post-Draft Approach

Will Howard: A Brief Overview

Will Howard entered the 2025 NFL Draft with credentials that, on the surface, looked quite impressive. He had, after all, just led Ohio State to a national championship win, which is a very big accomplishment for any quarterback. His journey to this point included time at Kansas State, where his legs were, in fact, a huge part of his game, and he used them often. This dual-threat ability was something that really stood out to many observers, you know, as he could make plays with his arm and his feet.

During the national championship game itself, Howard added 57 yards on 16 carries, showing that running ability on the biggest stage. That stretch of games, especially the playoff run, really vaulted him up the quarterback rankings in the eyes of many draft analysts and fans alike. It seemed, in some respects, like he was building significant momentum right before the draft, which makes his eventual fall even more puzzling to some folks, as a matter of fact.

Personal Details / Bio Data

Detail	Information
Name	Will Howard
Position	Quarterback
College (most recent)	Ohio State
Previous College	Kansas State
NFL Team (2025 Draft)	Pittsburgh Steelers
Draft Round	6th Round
Draft Pick Number	No. 185

The Shocking Draft Day Slide

As the 2025 NFL Draft progressed, the anticipation for Will Howard’s name to be called grew, especially after his strong finish to the college season. He was, as mentioned, projected by many to be drafted much earlier than what eventually happened. Some analysts even had him in conversations for the first round at certain points during the draft cycle, which, you know, really sets a high expectation for a player. It was a pretty significant projection for him.

However, Thursday came and went without his name being announced. Then, Day 2, which included rounds two and three, also passed by. This meant that entering the final six rounds of the draft on Day 3, Ohio State's Will Howard still remained undrafted. It was a situation that surprised many people who had followed his college career and recent success. The fact that he was still available after so many picks had been made was, frankly, a major talking point for draft watchers, and it made a lot of folks wonder what was going on.

Ultimately, the Pittsburgh Steelers selected Will Howard with the No. 185 pick in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft. This was a far cry from the early projections and the first-round buzz that had surrounded him. The question of "Why did Will Howard fall so far?" became a very common one in the aftermath of the draft. It’s not every day you see a national championship-winning quarterback, who was once thought of as an early pick, slide all the way to the sixth round, so it was a rather notable event, you know, for sure.

Insights from an NFL Analyst: Steve Palazzolo

To get a clearer picture of why Will Howard dropped in the 2025 NFL Draft, we can look to insights from NFL draft analyst Steve Palazzolo of The 33rd Team. Palazzolo, who joined 93.7 The Fan to discuss the situation, offered some very specific reasons behind Howard’s slide. His perspective helps explain what scouts and teams might have been thinking during the selection process. It’s always good to hear from someone who really digs into these things, and he certainly did, as a matter of fact.

According to Palazzolo, the slide wasn't about a lack of talent, which is an important distinction to make. This means that teams weren't necessarily questioning his raw ability to play the game. Instead, the issues were more nuanced and related to other aspects of his play and how it might translate to the professional level. This insight is pretty helpful, you know, because it shifts the focus from a simple talent evaluation to more complex considerations that teams weigh when drafting players, especially quarterbacks.

Inconsistency: The Main Concern

Steve Palazzolo believes that inconsistency was, in fact, the biggest reason why Will Howard dropped in the draft. This idea of inconsistency means that his performance might have varied significantly from game to game, or even within games. For NFL teams, consistency is a very prized quality in a quarterback, as they need someone who can reliably perform at a high level week in and week out. A player who shows flashes of brilliance but also moments of struggle can be a bit of a gamble for a team looking for a long-term starter, you know, and that's a big deal.

This inconsistency, according to Palazzolo, was a major factor contributing to concerns from scouts. They might have seen moments where Howard looked like a top-tier prospect, but then also seen other moments where his play was less polished or effective. That kind of up-and-down performance can make it hard for teams to project how he will fare against NFL defenses, which are, as you know, incredibly tough. It's about finding that steady presence, and that's something teams really look for in a quarterback, very much so.

System Questions and NFL Translation

Beyond inconsistency, Palazzolo also pointed to "system questions" and concerns about how Howard's game would translate to the NFL. What this means is that scouts might have wondered if the offensive systems he played in at both Kansas State and Ohio State were, perhaps, very specific or limited in a way that might not prepare him fully for the diverse schemes found in the professional league. Different college systems ask quarterbacks to do different things, and some are more pro-style than others, you know, which can be a factor.

The translation concern is about whether his skills, as demonstrated in college, would seamlessly carry over to the NFL game. For instance, a quarterback who relies heavily on a specific type of play or a certain read might struggle if the NFL demands a broader range of abilities or quicker decision-making. Scouts are always looking for players whose talents can directly transfer and succeed at the next level, and sometimes, a college system might not fully showcase that or prepare a player for it. This is a common hurdle for many college players making the jump, and it's something teams really scrutinize, you know, when they're making their picks.

The National Championship Boost and What Came Next

It's important to remember that Will Howard wasn't expected to go before Day 3 until Ohio State’s college football playoff run began. That incredible stretch of games, culminating in the national championship win, truly vaulted him up the quarterback boards for many. His performance during that time, especially with his legs, was a huge part of his game while at Kansas State, and he continued to show that at Ohio State. It really made people take notice, you know, and think he might be a much earlier pick.

The national championship game itself saw Howard add 57 yards on 16 carries, which is a pretty solid rushing performance for a quarterback in such a high-stakes game. This demonstrated his ability to contribute with his athleticism and extend plays. That particular stretch of games, it seemed, vaulted Howard up quarterback projections, making him a possible 2025 NFL Draft pick who many thought would be taken much earlier. It was a very strong finish to his college career, and it certainly got a lot of attention, you know, and that's something that can really change perceptions.

However, despite that late-season surge and the national championship glory, the underlying concerns that Steve Palazzolo highlighted seemed to persist for NFL teams. While the big wins and clutch plays were certainly impressive, the perceived inconsistency and questions about how his specific game would fit into an NFL system appeared to weigh more heavily on some scouts' minds during the draft process. It's a bit of a balancing act for teams, you know, weighing the big moments against the more detailed evaluations of a player's overall body of work, and that's a very important part of it.

A Complicated Player with Potential

Will Howard is, by far, one of the more complicated Ohio State players to look at as the NFL Draft approaches. This "complicated" label likely stems from the contrast between his high-profile success, like leading a team to a national championship, and the analytical concerns about his consistency and scheme fit. Some mock drafts, as we've noted, had him near the first round at points in this cycle, which shows the range of opinions on his potential. It really highlights how different evaluators can see the same player in very different ways, you know, and that's a big part of the draft process.

The fact that he fell to the sixth round, despite impressive credentials and a national title, underscores the complex nature of quarterback evaluation in the NFL. Teams aren't just looking for a player who can win games; they're looking for someone who fits their specific offensive philosophy, can develop consistently, and possesses traits that translate to long-term success at the professional level. It’s a very deep dive into a player’s entire game, not just the highlights. And that's something that analysts like Palazzolo really try to explain to the public, as a matter of fact, because it's not always so simple.

Even with the quarterback group in the 2025 draft, which might have had its own dynamics and strengths, Howard’s slide was still a notable event. It suggests that while many quarterbacks have previously shown that, despite coming from later rounds, they are worthy qualifiers and can succeed in the NFL, the initial assessment by teams led to his later selection. This is a common narrative in the draft, where some players with high expectations fall, and others rise unexpectedly. It just goes to show that the draft is, in a way, full of surprises, and that's what makes it so interesting to watch, you know.

Will Howard's Post-Draft Approach

One day after being drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers, new Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Will Howard didn't take long to show the team just how hard he works. This is a pretty strong indicator of his character and dedication. He made a request that perfectly shows one of the many qualities that coaches and teams love to see in their players, especially those drafted in later rounds. It's about proving yourself and showing that you're ready to put in the effort, you know, and that's a very good sign for any player coming into the league.

Still, Howard sees no reason why he should be overlooked and believes in his potential heading into the NFL. This mindset is crucial for any player, particularly those who experience a draft day slide. Maintaining confidence and a strong belief in one's abilities, even after facing a setback, is a key trait for success in professional sports. It shows a mental toughness that is, frankly, just as important as physical talent, if not more so, at times. He's clearly got that inner drive, and that's something that can really make a difference for a player, you know, as they try to make their mark.

His early actions and expressed belief in his own potential suggest that Will Howard is ready to tackle the challenges of the NFL head-on. Despite the reasons for his draft fall, which were, as Palazzolo explained, about inconsistency and system questions rather than pure talent, Howard appears focused on proving himself. This kind of attitude is often what allows players drafted later to outperform expectations and carve out successful careers. It’s about the work you put in after the draft, and it seems he’s already on that path. You can learn more about quarterback development on our site, and link to this page for more NFL Draft analysis.

For more detailed breakdowns on NFL Draft prospects and analysis, you might want to check out resources like NFL.com's draft coverage. They often provide extensive insights into player evaluations and draft trends. This kind of information can really help you understand the nuances of why players are picked where they are, and it gives you a broader picture of the whole process. It's a very complex system, and there are many factors at play, as a matter of fact, when teams are making their selections, and that's something that fans are always trying to understand better.

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Why Was Will Howard Drafted So Late? Unpacking The 2025 NFL Draft Surprise

Table of Contents

Will Howard: A Brief Overview

Personal Details / Bio Data

The Shocking Draft Day Slide

Insights from an NFL Analyst: Steve Palazzolo

Inconsistency: The Main Concern

System Questions and NFL Translation

The National Championship Boost and What Came Next

A Complicated Player with Potential

Will Howard's Post-Draft Approach

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