It's transfer portal season in college football and already a wave of coveted quarterbacks have tossed their name in the mix.
Kansas State's Will Howard is expected to be one of the most heavily pursued passers in the portal this year after announcing his intentions to transfer on Monday.
Which programs look like a good fit for Howard as he searches for his new home?
3. Nebraska
Matt Rhule is trying to build something in Nebraska, but he won't be able to get very far until he finds a quarterback. He certainly didn't have anyone good enough this season. Jeff Sims threw one touchdown with six interceptions. Chubba Purdy had two touchdowns and three interceptions. Heinrich Haarberg at least had an even TD-INT ratio of 7-7 but he completed just 49 percent of his passes.
The 5-7 record makes a lot of sense when you look at those quarterback numbers.
So the No. 1 goal for the Cornhuskers in the transfer portal this year is a serious upgrade at QB. That's exactly what Howard would be.
Howard pulling the reverse Adrian Martinez would be pretty huge for Nebraska. The biggest issue is figuring out what Howard himself has to gain from leaving Kansas State for Nebraska. He's not likely to contend for much more in Lincoln as Manhattan.
Still, if better opportunities don't open up, Nebraska could be a good landing spot.
2. Notre Dame
Notre Dame found a quarterback in the portal for 2023. They're in desperate need of another one for 2024.
The current options to replace Sam Hartman on the roster are limited. Steve Angeli and Kenny Minchey could get a look but the former is a three-star prospect and the latter is very young. Neither has an ounce of the experience Howard has at his disposal.
Instead of rolling the dice and hoping one of those guys has what it takes to lead a program, Howard would be a plug-and-play option with proven results. He led Kansas State to a Big 12 title after taking over the starting job partway through the 2022 season. He went on to lead the Wildcats to a 7-3 record in 10 starts in 2023.
Notre Dame would give Howard a platform that Kansas State couldn't offer: The Irish have College Football Playoff aspirations year in and year out. The right quarterback could get them there. And Howard has got to believe he's the right quarterback.
Howard heading for South Bend would be a whole lot like Hartman going from Wake Forest. After productive seasons at a program with limited aspirations, the call of something bigger can be pretty strong.
1. Ohio State
If Ohio State fans learned one thing in 2023, it's that Kyle McCord isn't the guy in Columbus.
Ryan Day could stick to what he's got and hope it works out this time, or he can pick up a veteran in the portal who has already proven he can play big in big games.
Howard stepped in for Kansas State in 2022 and generated the offense the Wildcats needed to win the Big 12. He came back in 2023 and showed up even in losing efforts. He tossed four touchdowns against Texas and three against Missouri, two Top 10 opponents.
By entering the transfer portal as an incumbent starter after four seasons with the Wildcats, Howard is all but saying he's got bigger aspirations. It doesn't get bigger than competing for Big Ten and national titles at Ohio State.
There would be no guarantees with the Buckeyes. Howard would have to come in and compete with the rest of Ohio State's QB room for the right to start. But that level of competition is clearly what he's gunning for. And if he won the job, he'd be able to truly showcase himself with the top receiving talent college football has to offer.
