Iron Will: The Ballad of Will Howard

Will Howard has had quite the character arc at Kansas State. From true freshman put into an impossible situation, to Big 12 champ and hero of the team, and everything in between. This video intends to show the highs and lows of the career, as well as how Will himself developed into who he is today.

[@Eltororeloaded]

Rumor is he's going to Ohio State in the portal. I was searching around KZbin for a Will Howard breakdown and stumbled onto your video. You've done a great job of telling the story of who Will is. No hot takes, meaningless opinions of people who never watched K State football or hyper fanboy takes either. Thanks. It was the video I didn't know I needed.

[@stephensgate1]

It’s a done deal. He’s a Buckeye!

[@houstoncat2471]

Great QB. We will miss him. Hope he has a monster year at his next stop and a long career in the NFL. Best of luck Will Howard!

[@Wesmancan]

We should win it all hands down. If not bye bye day. Thanks for your support😊.

[@jaked6746]

Man I’m super excited for this kid to be in Columbus this year. People saying he is McCord 2.0 are CRAZY. Look at the film and the kids leadership qualities. Surround him with 5 WRs/RBs and give him Chip Kelly and Ryan Day as his play callers.. I think anyone who has hated on this kid are going to eat crow in 2024. Thanks for the video, Welcome to Columbus Big Dick Bill!

[@MattC-eo6ep]

Love the video and love Will Howard. He's poised to have a a huge 2024 season under Chip Kelly and Ryan Day. They will maximize his skills and performance. Surround him with a huge upgrade in talented NFL caliber players, and he's destined for greatness. Let's Go Will!!

[@dudesmart3777]

I was at the Oklahoma State game. And when they announced Will Howard as the starting quarterback, the fans around me were really disappointed. Funny how perspective can change in a game.

[@paytonmills9385]

Really fun breakdown! Loved the info, and the inspiration that this dude should be for anyone who’s feeling down and out

[@kurtislarue5807]

I hope 'The Iron Will' is the Heisman campaign slogan.

[@christianclemons9294]

I’m really excited to see what he can do this year, now that he has the coaching staff behind him

[@KolbyVanCamp]

I will forever take credit for starting Iron Will, and I have the tweets to prove it. Love the video!

[@retireorbust]

Ok. Since a couple people responded to my last comment ket me elaborate. Most of you don’t know talent when you see it in a quarterback. You don’t evaluate his footwork, release, throwing ability, throwing intelligence. Theres a lot that goes into that last one. Is the ball leading a back upfield as a receiver? How well does he go thru progressions? Hiw often does he miss open receivers? Does he know when to fold em? Situational awareness. Jalon Daniels was running for his life as a 17 year old starter at KU. The know - nothings were all over that. Kid has a cannon, doesnt give up on plays, moves great, thorough reads. Hes a pro. Will Howard has the talent. He is no doubt the best quarterback in the room. Now if you can get him a few reallybelite receivers you might go to another level.

[@gbrew839]

I’m loving “Howitzer”

[@Wesmancan]

Day beat win it with this kid. He has under achieved for his roster skills.

[@JoshuaHemming-dy5yv]

We going to use that rpo-pa 2 hb gun formation with Judkins and Henderson going to be nasty

[@BlueJeanF150]

Great video! If I might offer one criticism, there’s often times captions are put on the screen but don’t stay up long enough to read them. Also at times, the black font color was tough to pick out. Looking forward to Will balling out this year! Year 2 of CK offense and a CONFIDENT Will Howard should make for a fun year

[@BlueJeanF150]

Also it would’ve been great to see some of the press footage when Will wasn’t shying away from any questions, even when he hadn’t played well.

[@NikeSwish3499]

Great video!

[@retireorbust]

Moral of the story? The fans don't know squat. If the coaches see it in him then its there.

[@JohnnyKaw11B]

Allan Evridge

[@BruceinKs]

Courtney sucked. Bad. Moral of the story.

[@retireorbust]

​@@JohnnyKaw11Bwho?

[@retireorbust]

​@@BruceinKswho

[@JohnnyKaw11B]

@@retireorbust Exactly.

[@ChevelleSS-yr3gb]

I like it!

[@BigTenBackersPodcast]

Loved the breakdown!!! Would you be available to do a collaboration to discuss Howard’s transition to Ohio State???

[@AggievilleACats]

sure, I could do that. Just send me an email at [e-mail]. Sorry for the late reply.

[@BigTenBackersPodcast]

@@AggievilleACats sent email

[@mtb7018]

Nicely done man!

[@aidenharrison2806]

We didnt even know it was Will entering the TCU game. Saw #18 and was confused

[@divjak8]

I realize this was put out leading into the 2023 season. Curious as to the explanation for the perceived regression or step back, at least statistically, this past season. Your segment on his mechanics was interesting. Reports suggest he has struggled in camp with downfield accuracy and turnovers. I made note of his foot placement after the Spring game. Wondering if he had fallen into old habits again. Maybe pressing to impress a bit.

[@AggievilleACats]

his biggest habit that he fell back into was a mixture of pressing and trying to do too much and his foot placement. He still has his tendency to fade away from his throws He was also very hot and cold this last year: if you go back to watch the Texas game, it was basically 2 different QBs from one half to the next. I still believe in Will, way more than most people, because I've seen what he can do at his ceiling with someone who tells him that he doesn't have to be the hero every single play

[@divjak8]

@@AggievilleACats great feedback - thanks! How do you see him performing this year if he wins the job? Will it depend if it’s close and QB2 is right there breathing down his neck for an opportunity? Does that type of pressure result in him pressing? Day coaches his QB’s HARD…really hard. Screams and hollers. How does he respond to that?

[@AggievilleACats]

@@divjak8 the coaching style will definitely be an adjustment: Klieman was notoriously loving of his players because it's a culture that is based on player accountability It's funny you mention having a QB breathing down his neck, because that's pretty much exactly what Will has been facing his entire career. Even when he was a backup during COVID, people wanted the walk on QB over him. I don't think it phases him as much as people think, although he did transfer out of K-State because Avery Johnson was guaranteed to be the guy the next year. Will's problem is that he gets in his own head more than anything else: when things are going well and his head is clear, he was the best QB in the Big 12. He just gets into ruts sometimes, especially if he feels he has to carry the team.

[@divjak8]

@@AggievilleACats really appreciate your feedback! I think you’ve inspired a topic for one of our upcoming episodes: What does it mean to carry a team? In Will’s case, would you suggest it’s a more of an issue if it’s an ongoing effort that’s needed or does he press even if it’s only for a game or two? I think everyone in our fan base agrees whoever the starter is won’t have to be “the guy” most of the time. It’s the big games some people have concerns with. What if the running game gets shut down for a big game? We don’t know if Brown truly has a higher upside because we haven’t seen it. We’ve seen Will go on a run but we’ve seen some duds, too. Like, that cannot happen against our rivals lol Again, thanks for your feedback!

[@AggievilleACats]

@@divjak8 I'd say that it's a game-by-game thing. Most of the games where he started pressing was when there was no run game to speak of, which was admittedly rare with the backs he's had in his past One thing Will has always done is he always showed out against the biggest rivals or in the bigger moments: his duds were always up against Texas who could just outmatch most of K-State's pieces on the field OR his OC didn't trust him (which was talked about in this video). He CAN perform without a running game, but that's where he gets the most spotty (see again that 2023 Texas game) One thing I've never had any doubts with is his leadership: every one of his teammates has LOVED him and been willing to pour their souls out for him. Even Avery loved Will before he left

[@sweetchuk7242]

GO BUCKS!

[@EdnaNight88]

When theres a will there a way

[@bige2012]

no to all the nicknames- none have ever been used by wildcat fans.

[@ntnsty]

Yeah, but if an exaggeration but a good video and storyline nonetheless

[@thekrakenguy6962]

He goes by William Howitzer in our circle

[@dillon2497]

I’ve used multiple of these nicknames when referring to Will, along with a lot of my buddies when we chat k state football.

[@skylimitkt]

He will get alot better under Lincoln Riley

[@hummushero9428]

That would be under Ryan Day. Lol

[@harthart7529]

Why does this video exist? Iron will? Most people save videos like this for legendary players.

[@dillon2497]

Why does this comment exist. Most people with self awareness don’t spout off negative energy to people who are doing something they love and are passionate about.