Shedeur Sanders didn’t take part in any exercises on the 2025 NFL Scouting Mix, however he was readily available to observe his fellow quarterbacks carry out — and to have their again.
After an up-and-down mix efficiency from Will Howard, Sanders defended the quarterback who led Ohio State to the primary nationwide championship of the 12-team School Soccer Playoff period.
Howard, who was greeted with each cheers and boos at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, missed on a number of deep throws through the passing drills Saturday.
He additionally put the ball on the money with different throws.
“I am my very own greatest critic, so I really feel like there have been some issues I may clear up,” Howard informed NFL Community. “Total, I feel I confirmed that I can spin the ball with one of the best. And, you realize, I felt good about it. And I feel my footwork was fairly stable.”
As Sanders talked about, Howard was not throwing to his common receivers. Howard’s prime goal in 2024 was Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State’s all-time profession receptions chief. Egbuka, a possible first-round decide, opted out of the drills on the mix.
Freshman sensation Jeremiah Smith led the Buckeyes in receiving yards (1,315) and landing catches (15) on his solution to a record-setting marketing campaign. Smith, clearly, won’t be eligible to enter the draft for 2 extra years.
Howard, who transferred to Ohio State final yr, benefited from having high-caliber receivers in his one season because the starter. However he additionally made big-time throws, such because the title-sealing play to Smith within the nationwide championship recreation, a 56-yard bomb on third-and-11 that hit his receiver in excellent stride.
That very same night time, Howard accomplished a School Soccer Playoff Championship record of 13 consecutive passes and was named the MVP with his strong overall outing (17-of-21 passing for 231 yards, two touchdowns, zero interceptions).
It wasn’t simply what Howard did after the ball was snapped that mattered. As Ohio State coach Ryan Day informed FOX Sports activities’ lead school soccer recreation analyst Joel Klatt, “We had such an incredible chief in Will. He was wanting these guys within the eye, they usually have been breaking the huddle, they usually believed in him after they huddle.”
Howard performed his greatest soccer of the season through the Buckeyes’ playoff run. In 4 video games, he accomplished 75.2 p.c of his passes for 1,150 yards, eight touchdowns and two interceptions whereas registering a 184.4 passer score.
“You activate the movie within the playoffs, man, and it is actually good,” Klatt stated. “He is bought nice command of what is going on on.”
Jalen Milroe & Will Howard in Joel Klatt’s Prime 5 QB’s within the 2025 NFL Draft | Joel Klatt Present
Klatt ranked Howard as his No. 5 quarterback on this draft class.
Howard is not anticipated to be a prime decide. Sanders, together with Miami product Cam Ward, will probably be one of many first two quarterbacks drafted. Different passers, reminiscent of Ole Miss QB Jaxson Dart and Texas product Quinn Ewers, improved their draft inventory with promising showings on the mix.
However Howard will get drafted. His tape, conferences with groups and upcoming professional day are different methods he can put himself on the radar of a franchise looking for depth at its quarterback place.
“I feel he’ll get extra constructive critiques as we get nearer to the draft as he performed his greatest soccer when it mattered most,” Klatt added.
The mix will not be the be-all and end-all of the draft course of. In any other case, a prospect like Sanders would have participated alongside his fellow quarterbacks reasonably than simply defending them after.
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