BREAKING: 5-Star QB Will Howard Shocks Ohio State with Decommitment, Flips Commitment to Oklahoma over Penn State and Nebraska…
BREAKING: 5-Star QB Will Howard Shocks Ohio State with Decommitment, Flips Commitment to Oklahoma over Penn State and Nebraska
It was a typical winter evening in Columbus, Ohio, when the bombshell news hit every college football fan’s radar. Will Howard, the highly coveted 5-star quarterback from Kansas, announced his decision to decommit from Ohio State, sending shockwaves through the Buckeye faithful. What followed was an even bigger twist — Howard revealed he would now commit to Oklahoma, choosing the Sooners over Penn State and Nebraska, two other programs aggressively pursuing him.
Howard’s recruitment had been one of the most closely watched sagas in recent memory. Initially committed to Ohio State, he had been heralded as the next great Buckeye quarterback, expected to follow in the footsteps of legends like Justin Fields and C.J. Stroud. However, whispers of dissatisfaction began circulating after Ohio State’s offensive coordinator took a high-profile NFL coaching job. Howard reportedly questioned the program’s direction and its fit for his playing style.
At a hastily arranged press conference in his high school gymnasium, Howard stood behind a podium adorned with hats from Oklahoma, Penn State, and Nebraska. The crowd, a mix of media, fans, and his teammates, buzzed with anticipation. After delivering a heartfelt thank-you to Ohio State for their recruitment efforts, Howard reached for the crimson and cream Oklahoma hat, signaling his intention to become a Sooner.
“This decision wasn’t easy,” Howard began, his voice steady but emotional. “Ohio State has an incredible tradition, and I have the utmost respect for Coach Day and his staff. But after much thought and prayer, I realized that the best place for me to grow as a player and a person is at the University of Oklahoma.”
The Sooners’ offensive scheme under their new head coach, a former NFL offensive coordinator, was a critical factor in Howard’s decision. “Their system is built for a quarterback like me — mobile, creative, and ready to make plays,” he explained.
The fallout from the announcement was immediate. Ohio State fans flooded social media with reactions ranging from disbelief to frustration. Meanwhile, Oklahoma fans celebrated their coup, seeing Howard as the future face of the program.
Penn State and Nebraska, both of which had come close to landing Howard, released statements congratulating him while vowing to move forward with their respective plans. Nebraska’s head coach even quipped, “You win some, you lose some, but I wouldn’t want to be Ohio State right now.”
As Howard posed for photos with his family, donning his new Oklahoma cap, he left no doubt about his excitement for the future. “This is a new chapter,” he said with a smile. “I can’t wait to compete at the next level and bring championships to Norman.”
For Ohio State, the sting of losing a player of Howard’s caliber was sharp, but for Oklahoma, his commitment signaled a resurgence in their quest to dominate the college football landscape. The recruiting battle was over, but the next chapter of Will Howard’s football journey wa
s just beginning.