Former Ohio State Buckeyes legend Will Howard has already won over his new NFL Town.
The former Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback, now legend, Will Howard, has already put in the groundwork to win over the fanbase in Pittsburgh.
Howard has found himself square in the middle of a major quarterback battle that will determine his future in Pittsburgh. In the fourth round of this past year's NFL Draft, the Pittsburgh Steelers selected Penn State quarterback Drew Allar.
With that selection came an inherent quarterback battle, one that Howard likely didn't expect to see coming. Not only are the two guys competing for the backup role in Pittsburgh, but they are putting in their audition for the position after Aaron Rodgers retires.
The battle is intense between the lines as both guys look good. But if it were up to the court of public opinion, the job would be Howard's.
The Pat McAfee Show was live in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, at the Steelers' camp earlier in the week, and host Pat McAfee asked the surrounding crowd who they want to be the second-string quarterback, and the crowd erupted in chants.
The chants were not only pro-Will Howard, but they were also just Will Howard. The Pittsburgh crowd broke out in a chorus of "We Want Will!" chants, which is amazing given the fact that Allar went to college in Pennsylvania.
There is no surprise that Howard won over the fanbase in Pittsburgh from Buckeyes fans. Ohio State fans lived it two years ago with Howard.
He came to Columbus with the perfect attitude, one that was a mix of gratitude for being the Buckeyes' quarterback and responsibility to play great football.
It wasn't all smooth for Howard as he needed an expanded Playoff for the Buckeyes to get into the dance, but once they did, they took over the dance floor.
Blowouts over Tennessee, Oregon, Texas, and then Notre Dame were the path that he led the Buckeyes on to hoist the National Championship Trophy.
He was at his best when his best was required in the postseason, and because of it, he will forever live in fame at Ohio State University.
It won't be that seamless in the NFL. Howard's game doesnt necessarily equate to good NFL quarterback play, but one thing about him is that he is going to work his tail off to get there.
He is an unfinished product and, honestly, fighting against a prototypical NFL quarterback build in Allar, but he has the personality of Pittsburgh.
Just as he won over the Ohio State fanbase, so did he win over the Pittsburgh one. Now, he just needs to lead the Steelers to the Super Bowl. Easier said than done.
