Ohio State’s Pro Day Takes an Unexpected Turn as Carnell Tate and Brandon Inniss Catch Passes from Will Howard
Ohio State’s annual Pro Day is always a spectacle, but this year’s event took an unexpected and controversial turn when rising star receivers Carnell Tate and Brandon Inniss caught passes from Kansas State transfer quarterback Will Howard instead of a current or former Buckeye quarterback. The decision, which surprised scouts, analysts, and even some within the program, raised immediate questions about Ohio State’s quarterback situation and the strategic thinking behind the move.
A Strategic or Desperate Move?
Typically, Ohio State’s Pro Day highlights the school’s departing talent, giving draft-eligible players the best possible platform to showcase their skills in front of NFL scouts. With star quarterback Kyle McCord having transferred to Syracuse and Devin Brown still unproven, many expected a former Buckeye quarterback like C.J. Stroud or Justin Fields to step in for the throwing session. Instead, Howard—who transferred to Ohio State for his final collegiate season—was chosen to work out with the young receivers.
For Tate and Inniss, two rising sophomores expected to play key roles in the Buckeyes’ 2025 offense, this Pro Day session was a valuable opportunity to display their chemistry with Howard before spring practices even begin. However, some critics saw it as an unnecessary gamble, arguing that Pro Day should be about the draft-eligible players, not incoming transfers or underclassmen.
Will Howard’s Audition?
Howard’s presence sparked speculation that Ohio State might be trying to elevate his draft stock before he even takes a snap for the Buckeyes. The former Kansas State quarterback has talent but is far from a guaranteed NFL prospect. His decision to throw on such a high-profile stage, rather than simply preparing for his role in Ohio State’s offense, suggests that either he or the Buckeyes are thinking beyond the 2024 season.
“I’ve never seen anything like this,” one anonymous NFL scout reportedly said. “A guy transfers in, hasn’t played a down for Ohio State, and he’s already headlining their Pro Day? That’s unusual, to say the least.”
Some believe Ohio State head coach Ryan Day may be using this as a way to accelerate Howard’s development and build instant chemistry with his top receivers. Others see it as a sign that the Buckeyes are uncertain about their quarterback situation and are already preparing for a possible early exit for Howard if he impresses scouts.
What This Means for Ohio State
Regardless of the motivations behind the decision, Tate and Inniss catching passes from Howard at Pro Day could be a preview of Ohio State’s offensive future. With Marvin Harrison Jr. off to the NFL and Emeka Egbuka possibly following, Tate and Inniss are expected to step into the spotlight. The chemistry they develop with Howard now could be invaluable by the time the 2024 season kicks off.
Still, the controversy lingers. Was this a smart forward-thinking move by Ohio State, or did they hijack Pro Day for their own internal quarterback experiment? One thing is certain: all eyes will be on Will Howard and his connection with Tate and Inniss as the Buckeyes chase a national title in 2024.
