NEWS FLASH: Five-star quarterback Will Howard (6’4″, 236 lbs) decides to sign with the Georgia Bulldogs instead of Tennessee after decommitting from the Ohio State Buckeyes.
Will Howard, the towering 6’4″, 236-pound five-star quarterback with one of the most electric arms in high school football, has shaken the college football landscape yet again. After a whirlwind recruitment saga that saw him initially commit to the Ohio State Buckeyes and later heavily flirt with Tennessee, Howard has ultimately decided to take his talents to Athens, signing with the Georgia Bulldogs in a move that has left fans, analysts, and coaches alike stunned.
Howard’s decision comes after months of speculation and shifting momentum among several powerhouse programs. The New Jersey native had long been viewed as a generational talent, showcasing his cannon of an arm, surprising mobility, and commanding presence in the pocket since his sophomore year at Bergen Catholic. He surged to the top of every major recruiting board, garnering comparisons to NFL stars like Josh Allen and Justin Herbert for his size, arm strength, and composure under pressure. Rated as the No. 1 quarterback in the 2025 class by most services, Howard had initially pledged his allegiance to the Buckeyes in early March. At the time, Ohio State’s quarterback pipeline and offensive pedigree under head coach Ryan Day seemed like a natural fit.
But as spring turned into summer, whispers began circulating that Howard’s commitment might not be as firm as initially believed. Despite the excitement in Columbus, Howard continued taking visits—first quietly, and then more openly. Rumors swirled of late-night phone calls with other coaches, cryptic social media posts, and private workouts that weren’t supposed to happen. It became clear that Ohio State, despite having one of the premier reputations for developing quarterbacks, was not the lock it appeared to be.
Sources close to the recruitment revealed that Howard’s family became increasingly involved in the process as the spotlight intensified. There were growing concerns about quarterback competition at Ohio State, especially with the Buckeyes already boasting a deep quarterback room including another five-star signal-caller in the same class. Howard reportedly wanted a clearer path to early playing time—something Day couldn’t promise amid a crowded depth chart.
That’s when Tennessee entered the picture in a major way. Under head coach Josh Heupel, the Volunteers have made waves with their up-tempo, high-octane offensive attack, producing staggering numbers through the air and creating an appealing narrative for quarterbacks seeking a quick path to national stardom. Howard made a highly publicized visit to Knoxville in early June, where he was seen taking in a baseball game, dining with coaches, and bonding with current players. For weeks after the visit, all signs pointed to Howard flipping to Tennessee. Several recruiting insiders even went so far as to place their “crystal ball” projections in favor of the Vols.
But as is so often the case in the high-stakes world of elite quarterback recruitment, the tides turned once more. In a late and aggressive push, Georgia’s head coach Kirby Smart and offensive coordinator Mike Bobo ramped up their courtship of Howard. Georgia, fresh off back-to-back national championship appearances and widely regarded as the premier defensive powerhouse in college football, made a compelling pitch that included more than just winning pedigree. The Bulldogs promised Howard the opportunity to lead a more dynamic offensive identity, one where his skill set would not be restrained but rather elevated on the biggest stage in college football.
Insiders describe a secretive, late-June visit to Athens that changed everything. While Howard’s camp managed to keep it mostly under wraps, those close to the program reported a shift in tone after the trip. It wasn’t just about facilities or NIL money—which Georgia certainly has in spades—it was about culture, legacy, and opportunity. Howard was reportedly blown away by the leadership inside the locker room and the coaching staff’s vision for how he would be developed and deployed in Bobo’s offense. The idea of not just being another quarterback in the system, but the cornerstone of Georgia’s next era, resonated deeply.
On Monday morning, Howard made it official, announcing via a slick, professionally-produced video on social media that he would be committing to the University of Georgia. The short clip, set against a backdrop of Sanford Stadium at dusk, ended with Howard donning a black-and-red jersey, his massive frame dwarfing the field as the caption read: “Glory, Glory.” The reaction was immediate and thunderous. Georgia fans erupted in celebration, while Tennessee supporters were left blindsided, and Buckeye Nation erupted with frustration and disbelief.
Howard’s flip is more than just a recruiting victory—it’s a potential turning point in the SEC and national landscape. For Georgia, it solidifies their transformation from a defensive juggernaut into a complete football machine. With elite talent already on both sides of the ball, the addition of Howard gives the Bulldogs the kind of quarterback they’ve only sporadically had in the Kirby Smart era—one with true game-changing ability through the air. While Georgia has enjoyed great success with gritty, efficient quarterbacks like Stetson Bennett, Howard represents a new tier of talent—an NFL-caliber prototype who can win games not just by executing the system, but by elevating everyone around him.
Georgia’s quarterback room was already strong, with promising young talent in place, but none with the upside of Howard. His arrival may create a ripple effect within the team, potentially leading to transfers or position battles heating up, but it also puts Georgia in the driver’s seat to continue their dominance atop college football’s hierarchy for years to come.
Meanwhile, Tennessee finds itself licking its wounds. The Vols had put much of their energy into recruiting Howard, and missing out on him represents a substantial blow—not just in terms of talent, but in momentum. Josh Heupel now finds himself back to the drawing board, possibly re-evaluating other quarterback targets or dipping into the transfer portal for a short-term solution. Ohio State, too, must reassess its depth chart, though their embarrassment of riches likely cushions the blow. Nevertheless, losing the top-rated quarterback in the class just months after landing his commitment is not a good look, and fans will undoubtedly question how the situation unraveled so quickly.
Recruiting, particularly at the quarterback position, has become increasingly volatile in the NIL era, where loyalty is often fleeting and opportunity reigns supreme. Howard’s decision underscores just how fluid these commitments can be. From Columbus to Knoxville and finally to Athens, this recruitment highlighted every modern element of the college football arms race: facilities, coaching stability, depth charts, NIL packages, and branding opportunities. In the end, Georgia managed to pull off what many thought was impossible—luring a top-tier quarterback from the jaws of two formidable competitors and doing so with a calculated, late-stage surge.
The implications for the broader college football landscape are enormous. With Howard now on board, Georgia has moved to the top of the 2025 recruiting rankings, overtaking Alabama and Michigan in most services. The Bulldogs’ class now includes multiple five-stars, an elite group of offensive linemen, and one of the most complete defensive hauls in recent memory. More importantly, it sends a message to the rest of the country: Georgia isn’t going anywhere. If anything, they’re just getting started.
For Will Howard, the pressure is now sky-high. With great talent comes great expectation, and Bulldog fans will be eager to see their newest star in action. While he still has one more year of high school ball to play, all eyes will be on his development, leadership, and how he handles the media spotlight. His every move will be scrutinized, every throw analyzed, and every performance picked apart. But those who’ve watched him closely say he’s built for it—that his poise, maturity, and competitive edge make him uniquely prepared for the storm that comes with being the face of a college football blueblood.
The journey is far from over, and in this era of transfer portals and NIL-driven decisions, nothing is ever truly final until a player steps on the field. But for now, Georgia fans can celebrate. In Will Howard, they’ve landed not just a quarterback—but a potential program-altering presence who could define an era. The chase is over, the commitment is real, and the college football world will be watching closely to see what happens next.