Despite being viewed by many as a mid-round draft prospect, Ohio State quarterback Will Howard is receiving high praise from former NFL coach and football guru Jon Gruden.
As a matter of fact, Gruden believes Howard has the potential to become an NFL MVP.
Gruden, who is revisiting his old role of analyzing quarterback prospects as part of his 2025 draft series for Barstool Sports, recently released the first episode of the show featuring Howard.
In the episode, Gruden compared Howard to Josh Allen, the reigning NFL MVP and do-everything quarterback for the Buffalo Bills, noting striking similarities between the two players.
“You’re a big, dual-threat quarterback, aren’t you?… That’s the MVP of the league. He’s a real big dual threat,” Gruden said.
Howard, who stands at 6-foot-4 and weighs 236 pounds, displayed impressive dual-threat abilities at Ohio State, rushing for 26 touchdowns during his college career.
Gruden emphasized that Howard shares Allen’s size and mobility, qualities that helped elevate Allen to the NFL’s top individual honor.
“How the hell do people not like you as the No. 1 quarterback in the draft?” Gruden asked Howard. “You’re like a young Josh Allen.”
While no one expects Howard to be selected as the first overall pick in the upcoming draft, Gruden believes the team that eventually drafts Howard will be getting a player with elite potential, drawing clear parallels to Allen’s rise.
Allen, a seventh overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, made an immediate impact in the league, and Gruden sees Howard as a similarly dynamic player who could make waves at the next level.
With Gruden’s endorsement and comparisons to one of the league’s best quarterbacks, Howard’s stock may just see an unexpected rise ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft.
What are your thoughts on Gruden’s comments? … More importantly, how in the world is Howard flying so inexplicably far under the radar???
