Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic

Ohio State fifth-year senior quarterback Will Howard is this year’s Dan S. Petty Scholar-Athlete for the Buckeyes participating in the 2025 College Football Playoff Semifinal at the 89th Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic.
 
Howard has already earned two degrees during his college football career, starting with an accounting degree from Kansas State University in December 2023 before using his final collegiate season at Ohio State to complete a master’s in sports coaching this December.
 
In his sole season with the Buckeyes, Howard has led the Buckeyes to a 12-2 record and set career highs in passing yards (3,490), passing touchdowns (32), passer rating (175.8) and completion percentage (72.6). In College Football Playoff wins over No. 6 Tennessee and No. 1 Oregon, he threw for a combined 630 yards and five touchdowns while completing 74 percent of his passes. The Cotton Bowl Classic will be Howard’s 43rd career start.
 
In the classroom, the Downingtown High School product has carried a 3.94 overall GPA at Ohio State. He is also a candidate for Academic All-America honors by College Sports Communicators.