The list of Ohio State quarterbacks who have led the team to a National Championship in the 21st century includes Craig Krenzel, Cardale Jones, and now Will Howard. Between Krenzel’s BCS victory and Howard’s College Football Playoff win, seven of the top ten passing touchdown leaders in Ohio State history emerged. In that same period, six of the program’s single-season passing yard leaders achieved remarkable feats.
J.T. Barrett’s 2,834 passing yards in 2014 remains the 10th-most in Buckeye history, even though he did not lead Ohio State to a National Championship that year. Despite this, his performance is often overshadowed by other memorable moments, including the unforgettable 85 Yards Through the Heart of the South game, where Cardale Jones emerged as the unlikely hero. However, Jones was benched halfway through the following season, and Barrett went on to break Drew Brees Big Ten record for total offensive yards. Yet, Barrett’s legacy is tarnished by key losses in games that many believed should have been won.
This mirrors the harsh reality of college football what have you done for me lately mentality. Ohio State, a school with championship aspirations every season, often finds itself looking back at failures, overshadowing the successes that led to those moments. Will Howard, a former Kansas State player, now ranks third on Ohio State’s all-time single-season passing yards list. His 16-game season in 2024, a result of the new 12-team College Football Playoff format, led him to achieve this milestone.
Had C.J. Stroud, Justin Fields, or other Buckeye greats played under this format, how might their careers have unfolded differently? Dwayne Haskins, whose tragic death in 2022 left an indelible mark on Ohio State, would have celebrated this moment with the program’s ninth National Championship. Haskins, despite his immense potential, faced criticism for his struggles to make an impact in the NFL. His tragic end highlighted the painful, unfinished narrative of his career.
Ohio State’s 2018 season is an example of why the Playoff needed expansion. Despite dominating Michigan and winning a Big Ten title, the Buckeyes were left out of the College Football Playoff. Haskins had one of the best individual seasons in Ohio State history, but the team’s performance against Purdue cost them the chance to compete for the national title. Fans and critics often remembered the season’s low points, like the 49-20 loss to Purdue, over the stunning individual achievements.
Justin Fields legacy is also a mixture of highs and lows. Fields was nearly perfect in his first season against Michigan and led the Buckeyes to a Big Ten Championship. Yet, his playoff experiences, including the loss to Alabama in the 2021 National Championship, left lingering questions about his ability to lead the team to a title. Fields time at Ohio State was short but impactful, yet he often finds his career overshadowed by the team’s playoff losses.
C.J. Stroud, Ohio State’s most prolific passer, also faced criticism despite his record-breaking performances. His inability to secure a victory over Michigan or win a National Championship has somewhat dimmed his legacy. Stroud’s spectacular passing performances, including a 393-yard, six-touchdown game against Michigan State, are often forgotten in the wake of his failures in key moments.
In contrast, Will Howard, despite not being as heralded as some of Ohio State’s other quarterbacks, benefited from the expanded playoff system. He made the most of his opportunities, leading the Buckeyes to their first National Championship under the new format. Howard’s performance in the postseason cemented his place in Buckeye history, earning him the title of National Championship MVP.
While many of his predecessors never had the chance to fulfill their potential due to early losses or system shortcomings, Howard’s journey is a reminder of the power of second chances. With a more forgiving playoff structure, Howard’s legacy now stands out among the great quarterbacks of Ohio State.
