Breaking News: Five-Star Quarterback Will Howard Commits to Ole Miss Rebels Over Ohio State, Georgia, and Colorado
In a stunning turn of events, five-star quarterback Will Howard has officially decommitted from the Ohio State Buckeyes and announced that he will be joining the Ole Miss Rebels for the upcoming college football season. Howard, who stands at an imposing 6’4” and weighs 236 pounds, is widely regarded as one of the top quarterback prospects in the nation for the 2025 recruiting class. His decision to choose Ole Miss over several other prestigious programs, including the Georgia Bulldogs and Colorado Buffaloes, has sent shockwaves throughout the college football world.
Howard, who originally committed to Ohio State in a highly publicized move early in his recruitment, has been a coveted recruit for several years. His combination of size, arm strength, and athleticism makes him a formidable force on the field, and his ability to make plays in critical situations has been one of his trademarks. Throughout his recruitment process, Howard has garnered interest from some of the top college football programs in the nation, making his final decision even more significant.
The decommitment from Ohio State, while surprising to many, comes after months of careful deliberation by Howard and his family. The quarterback had previously spoken highly of Ohio State’s football program, its coaching staff, and the university’s resources. However, over time, Howard began to feel that another school might better suit his aspirations both on and off the field. This realization led him to reassess his commitment and ultimately led to his choice to flip to Ole Miss.
Why Ole Miss?
The decision to commit to Ole Miss has raised many eyebrows in the college football community, especially given the strong offers Howard had from other elite programs like Georgia and Colorado. The Rebels, led by head coach Lane Kiffin, have developed a reputation for producing dynamic offenses and fostering a high-energy environment. Kiffin, known for his innovative offensive schemes and ability to develop quarterbacks, has quickly turned Ole Miss into a formidable force in the SEC.
Howard’s decision to play for Kiffin and the Rebels comes at a time when Ole Miss is on the rise in the SEC. The program has gained national recognition for its explosive offense, and with Kiffin at the helm, the Rebels have become a destination for high-profile recruits. Howard, who is known for his strong arm and ability to make plays both inside and outside the pocket, will have the opportunity to thrive in a system that emphasizes offensive creativity and quarterback freedom.
While other schools like Georgia and Colorado certainly made strong cases for Howard’s commitment, Ole Miss’s unique combination of offensive prowess and the chance to develop under a coach like Kiffin ultimately proved to be the deciding factors in Howard’s decision. With Kiffin’s history of developing quarterbacks and turning them into stars, Howard will likely have the opportunity to showcase his talents in an offense tailored to his skill set.
The Competition: Georgia and Colorado
Although Howard ultimately chose Ole Miss, his decision came after considerable attention from two other powerhouse programs: the Georgia Bulldogs and Colorado Buffaloes.
Georgia, a perennial college football powerhouse under head coach Kirby Smart, had long been considered one of the front-runners in Howard’s recruitment. Known for their elite recruiting and consistent performance on the national stage, the Bulldogs presented Howard with the opportunity to join a program that has recently dominated the SEC and won back-to-back national championships. Georgia’s stable of quarterbacks, including Heisman contenders and NFL prospects, further emphasized their ability to develop elite talent at the position. Despite all of this, Howard ultimately felt that Ole Miss provided a better fit for his playing style and long-term goals.
On the other hand, Colorado, which has experienced a revival under head coach Deion Sanders, also made a strong pitch to Howard. Colorado’s impressive 2024 season, led by Sanders and featuring the high-flying offense orchestrated by the coaching staff, drew significant attention from top-tier recruits, and Howard was no exception. However, despite the rising buzz around the Buffaloes and the unique opportunity to play for “Coach Prime,” Howard opted for the familiarity of the SEC and the chance to develop in an offense that has been highly productive in recent years.
What This Means for Ole Miss
Will Howard’s commitment is a massive coup for Ole Miss and Lane Kiffin. The Rebels have long been a competitive team in the SEC, but they have struggled to consistently land top-tier quarterback prospects. Howard’s decision to join Ole Miss signals a potential shift in the program’s trajectory, giving the Rebels a highly skilled signal caller who could be the face of the program for the next several years.
Howard’s commitment also serves as a statement of intent from Kiffin and Ole Miss in the fiercely competitive world of college football recruiting. While the Rebels have made strides in recent years, landing a player of Howard’s caliber puts them in position to compete not just within the SEC but on the national stage. With Howard under center, Ole Miss now has a quarterback who is more than capable of leading them to new heights, and it could be the spark the program needs to elevate its standing among the elite teams in college football.
Looking Ahead
With Howard’s commitment, the 2025 college football season is already shaping up to be an exciting one for Ole Miss. The Rebels now have one of the most highly-touted quarterbacks in the country leading their offense, and expectations will undoubtedly be high for his freshman season. Howard will join a talented group of players at Ole Miss and will look to build on the success of the Rebels’ recent years under Kiffin’s leadership.
As Howard transitions into his college career, all eyes will be on his development and how he adapts to the demanding competition of the SEC. Given his immense talent and the opportunity to play in one of the most dynamic offensive systems in the country, Howard’s future looks incredibly bright, and the entire college football world will be watching his every move.
For now, however, one thing is certain: Will Howard’s commitment to Ole Miss has sent shockwaves through the recruiting world, and it marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter in his football journey. Welcome to the Rebel family!
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