ATLANTA – Will Howard, a junior at Downingtown West High School near Philadelphia, was beginning to emerge as a highly sought-after quarterback. However, when he broke his arm and ended his season early, his chances of reaching the level he found himself at on Monday night appeared very slim.

“If you had asked 18 or 19-year-old Will Howard whether he would be at Ohio State playing in the national championship, he would have probably thought you were nuts,” Howard shared a few days before the College Football Playoff national championship game against Notre Dame at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

On Monday night, he became the star, guiding the Buckeyes to a 34-23 victory over Notre Dame, clinching their first national title in a decade. In the first half, he shattered the record for most consecutive completions in a CFP national title game with 13, making all six attempts on third downs. He ended the game with 17 completions out of 21 attempts for 231 yards and two touchdowns, along with 57 rushing yards from 16 carries.

“I wouldn’t be here without my teammates, family, and everyone who believed in me back in Downingtown, Pennsylvania. I’m lost for words right now,” Howard stated in a postgame interview.

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As the celebration unfolded around him, Howard took a moment to appreciate the significance of his achievement. Few of his teammates had experienced a path as challenging as his.

However, when he reached the stands to hug his family, the emotions started to surface. He shared a heartfelt embrace with his mother, Maureen, reflecting on a career filled with many highs and lows alongside those who had witnessed everything.

“Between everyone back in Downingtown, my family, my Kansas State family, and now my Ohio State family, I’ve relied on many people,” Howard mentioned in a postgame press conference. “Without them, I wouldn’t have overcome the challenges I’ve faced.”

Howard’s ability to adapt has always characterized his football career. This adaptability has played a significant role in his rise as a Buckeye.

After Ryan Wetzel stepped in as quarterback during Howard’s injury in fall 2018, Howard became “one of the best assistant coaches on our team,” according to Mike Milano, the longtime coach at Downingtown West.

“We went on to win five or six more games, advancing three rounds deep into the playoffs with a tight end as quarterback, and Will became his personal coach,” Milano recounted. “It was inspiring to witness him support his teammate so passionately.”

Fast forward to his junior year at Kansas State, Howard found himself facing another critical moment. When Nebraska’s Adrian Martinez announced his transfer to Manhattan, doubts arose about Howard’s future as a starter. After discussing the situation with his mother and Milano, he returned to Kansas State determined to earn his place.

“He left our meeting resolute, saying, ‘I just want to compete openly,’” Milano remembered. “‘That’s all I need – just a chance to show what I can do.’”

Despite initially losing the competition for the starting position, Howard eventually got his opportunity when Martinez got injured. Following a successful 2023 season, he proved to the Buckeyes that he was the answer to their national championship ambitions. His engaging personality quickly endeared him to both high-profile recruits and walk-ons shortly after arriving in Columbus a year ago. Receiver Emeka Egbuka remarked that it felt as though he had known Howard forever.

“When he came in, he instantly became part of the culture,” Egbuka noted. “It felt like he had been here for years. He fully embraced the program and the brotherhood.”

Throughout the season, Howard demonstrated he was the ideal quarterback to guide the Buckeyes during their toughest challenges, including the loss to Michigan in November. The resilience he displayed became the key element in achieving the milestone of a national championship.

However, Howard was quick to acknowledge the support of his teammates in his success.

“I’m incredibly grateful,” Howard expressed, “to have a supportive group in this locker room, along with coaches and family to lean on during tough times.”

“I’m so thankful I got the chance to become a Buckeye, even if it was just for one year.”

This story has been updated with new information.

Gunter Schroeder is a student in the University of Georgia’s Sports Media Certificate program.