In another timeline, Will Howard might have been wearing Notre Dame’s golden helmet in the national championship. The veteran quarterback admitted he was ready to commit to the Fighting Irish before the program turned to a different option.
“I called my agent, and he was like, ‘Sorry, buddy. They just told me they took Riley [Leonard],” Howard said on the Not Just Football podcast. “They weren’t even talking about him. So that pissed me off.”
Howard, who had spent four years at Kansas State, suddenly found himself without a destination. He even considered declaring for the NFL Draft before Ohio State reached out.
The Buckeyes proved to be the right landing spot, especially when he faced Notre Dame on the biggest stage. On Jan. 20, 2025, Howard led Ohio State past Leonard and the Irish in the College Football Playoff title game.
He connected on 80.9 percent of his passes, throwing for 221 yards and two touchdowns, while also rushing for 57 yards. His mistake-free performance powered the Buckeyes to a 34-23 victory.
Howard made it clear afterward that his motivation stemmed from Notre Dame’s decision.
“The [Irish] general manager [Chad Bowden] was standing on the sideline right where we were warming up, and I was just staring daggers through him the whole warmup,” Howard said. “Like, I was pissed. And I’m a chip on my shoulder guy. I am absolutely an extra motivation, anything I can get, that gave it to me.”
Will Howard told @NotJustFootball he wanted to commit to Notre Dame. The day he decided, his agent told him it was too late. The Irish took Riley Leonard.
— Tyler Horka (@tbhorka) September 18, 2025
Howard and Ohio State beat ND in the natty.
“That pissed me off…extra motivation, anything I can get, that gave it to me.” pic.twitter.com/U0ujPiLrup
Notre Dame reached the championship with Leonard, who had transferred from Duke. In the title game, Leonard completed 22 of 31 passes for 255 yards and two touchdowns, but it wasn’t enough to outduel Howard.
“I thought I was going to end up at Notre Dame,” Howard said. “They ended up signing Riley (Leonard) just before I was about to commit.”
The two quarterbacks later shared another parallel. Both were chosen in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Howard landed with the Pittsburgh Steelers, while Leonard went to the Indianapolis Colts.
For Howard, Notre Dame's snub became fuel, and the title game win offered the perfect response.