LOOKIN’ LIKE WILL. Bennett Christian is one of the best interviews on Ohio State’s roster. I don’t have a top five or top 10 — I only know Carson Hinzman is No. 1, and Christian isn’t too far behind him.
The veteran tight end had several good quotes this week. His best came when he shared that Julian Sayin has been making “unbelievable, jaw-dropping throws.” But soon after, Christian made another interesting comment about the Buckeyes’ Heisman finalist quarterback.
“He’s a really good rah-rah guy, which last year he was a little more reserved,” Christian said. “I think Will Howard, the best thing he did was just get guys going.”
Howard was a phenomenal quarterback for Ohio State, completing 73% of his passes for 4,010 yards and 35 touchdowns while adding seven more scores on the ground. But more than his on-field performance, Howard excelled as a leader. Whenever Ryan Day talked about Howard, the first traits he mentioned were his accountability, communication and ability to inspire.
At 6-foot-4 and 240 pounds, Howard looked the part of a follow me to freedom kind of leader for the Buckeyes. He was exactly the type of personality Ohio State needed with its back against the wall during its legendary run to a College Football Playoff title.
If Sayin has reminded Christian and his Ohio State teammates of Howard while leading workouts and drills or commanding the huddle — even just a little bit — that may be one of the most important developments of the offseason.
Christian said he’s seen that passion from Sayin all offseason. He described the quarterback’s emotion as “fiery.”
“I’ve kind of seen him grow into that over the summer and stuff, in the weight room. I’m not really surprised to see it translate onto the field,” Christian said.
Sayin already had the arm talent. He already had the football IQ. Now, it sounds like he’s finding his voice, too. And if that voice carries over from the practice field to the playing field, the Buckeyes may have another quarterback who can lead them to a title in 2026.
The veteran tight end had several good quotes this week. His best came when he shared that Julian Sayin has been making “unbelievable, jaw-dropping throws.” But soon after, Christian made another interesting comment about the Buckeyes’ Heisman finalist quarterback.
“He’s a really good rah-rah guy, which last year he was a little more reserved,” Christian said. “I think Will Howard, the best thing he did was just get guys going.”
Howard was a phenomenal quarterback for Ohio State, completing 73% of his passes for 4,010 yards and 35 touchdowns while adding seven more scores on the ground. But more than his on-field performance, Howard excelled as a leader. Whenever Ryan Day talked about Howard, the first traits he mentioned were his accountability, communication and ability to inspire.
At 6-foot-4 and 240 pounds, Howard looked the part of a follow me to freedom kind of leader for the Buckeyes. He was exactly the type of personality Ohio State needed with its back against the wall during its legendary run to a College Football Playoff title.
If Sayin has reminded Christian and his Ohio State teammates of Howard while leading workouts and drills or commanding the huddle — even just a little bit — that may be one of the most important developments of the offseason.
Christian said he’s seen that passion from Sayin all offseason. He described the quarterback’s emotion as “fiery.”
“I’ve kind of seen him grow into that over the summer and stuff, in the weight room. I’m not really surprised to see it translate onto the field,” Christian said.
Sayin already had the arm talent. He already had the football IQ. Now, it sounds like he’s finding his voice, too. And if that voice carries over from the practice field to the playing field, the Buckeyes may have another quarterback who can lead them to a title in 2026.
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