Will Howard and Skylar Thompson form K-State pairing in Pittsburgh

Will Howard, the former Kansas State and Ohio State quarterback, is heading to Pittsburgh after being selected by the Steelers in the sixth round of the NFL Draft on Saturday.

Howard’s arrival in Pittsburgh marks a reunion of sorts, as he joins former Wildcat Skylar Thompson in the Steelers' quarterback room.

With the 185th pick in the 2025 #NFLDraft, we select QB Will Howard. pic.twitter.com/tl0HQ3BaL6
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) April 26, 2025

Howard, standing at 6-foot-4 and weighing 235 pounds, transferred from Kansas State to Ohio State ahead of the 2024 season. The move paid off in a big way, as Howard led the Buckeyes to a national championship this past season.

“After leading Kansas State to a Big 12 title in 2022, Howard’s stock continued to rise at Ohio State, capped by a national championship,” said ESPN’s Steve Muench in his pre-draft analysis. “He’s got a strong arm and an ability to throw receivers open, especially after a breakout playoff performance. Howard’s also capable of extending plays with his legs, scrambling for key first downs or executing designed runs.”

Howard enjoyed a highly productive four-year career at Kansas State, making 27 starts in 34 games, and leaving the program as its all-time leader in career touchdown passes. But despite his success at Ohio State, Howard has remained supportive of his roots in Manhattan, consistently praising the program that helped launch his career.

Now, Howard will team up with Skylar Thompson, another former K-State QB.

Thompson, a seventh-round pick of the Miami Dolphins, signed a free-agent deal with the Steelers this offseason. The veteran backup has started in a playoff game for Miami and has proven himself capable at the NFL level, completing 81 of 138 passes for 721 yards, one touchdown, and three interceptions.

The duo will battle for the starting job alongside Mason Rudolph, the former Oklahoma State signal caller, and possibly even future Hall-of-Famer Aaron Rodgers, should the veteran quarterback join the Steelers, as some speculations suggest.

Having played in intense weather conditions during his time at Kansas State and Ohio State, Howard is well-prepared for the challenges of Pittsburgh’s often harsh football environment.

Kansas State, despite being named a preseason favorite, finished last season with a 9-4 overall record and 5-4 in conference play.

The Wildcats capped off their campaign with a thrilling 44–41 win over Rutgers in their bowl game on December 26. Looking ahead, K-State opens the 2025 season against Iowa State in Dublin, Ireland.