Aaron Rodgers looking to be a mentor for former Ohio State QB Will Howard in Pittsburgh
Aaron Rodgers looking to be a mentor for former Ohio State QB Will Howard in Pittsburgh
If there's been an Ohio State athlete make the one-year impression like the one Will Howard made in Columbus, I can't recall it. Originally from Pennsylvania and then a college quarterback with Kansas State, Howard came to the Buckeyes last season to improve his NFL draft stock and have a chance at winning a College Football Playoff national championship. If you're keeping track on your bingo card, he hit both of those.
Along the way, he did it with grace, professionalism, and an excitement that endeared him to Ohio State fans. Though Howard wore the Scarlet and Gary for just one season, he'll forever call himself, and be known as a Buckeye through and through for what the one year meant to him in life, with his professional career, and where hearts are from the fanbase.
Now that Howard is with the Pittsburgh Steelers, having been selected in the sixth round of this year's NFL draft, he'll get a chance to prove himself again. But before he does, he'll get a chance to be mentored by a future Hall of Fame quarterback, Aaron Rodgers, who was recently signed to a one-year free agent deal. So yeah, Howard gets a chance to soak up all he can while Rodgers is in and around Pittsburgh.
For Rodgers' part, he seems to be embracing being a mentor for Howard and trying to provide him with invaluable advice and direction from so many years in the League and so many memorable and high-profile games and moments.
According to ESPN, Rodgers has been nothing but gracious with the rookie Howard.
'He is a great mentor. He's already treated me with the utmost respect and just been really good to me,' Howard told ESPN. 'And a guy like that, he doesn't have to do that. I really just appreciate him being willing to take me under his wing a little bit and give me pointers and tips here and there. There are already some things that he's said to me that have helped me.'
It's one thing to hear it from the receiver of the input, it's another to get a feel for a guy that's been through it all and providing the daily advice. According to Rodgers, he's more than happy to be a sounding board and example for Howrad.
'I just want to be a servant leader here,' Rodgers said, 'and just pass on the knowledge that I have for 20 years, the experience, and just try and fit in with the guys, get to know 'em, let them get to know me and just enjoy the process ... 'Will's a good kid. Thought he looked good today. I'm gonna be with him every single day and every single meeting. … I'm gonna help him as much as I can.'
It would be hard to find a better situation for Howard. Not only does he get a year to learn from one of the best to ever do it, but he's at a place where there is opportunity, and he's shown an ability to make plays during minicamp. We'll see where this whole thing leads and if Howard can bank the odds and wiggle his way into a starting role with the Steelers down the line after being selected late in the draft.
I like his chances based on what we've seen so far.
Contact/Follow us @BuckeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Ohio State news, notes and opinion. Follow Phil Harrison on X.
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