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Ohio State quarterback Will Howard has been named one of 10 finalists for the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award

Ohio State quarterback Will Howard has been named one of 10 finalists for the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award

Will Howard is gaining recognition as one of the best quarterbacks in college football.

The Ohio State quarterback was named Thursday as one of 10 finalists for the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Awardwhich honors the best senior quarterback in the country.

Joining Howard on the list of finalists is the quarterback he will face this weekend – Penn State’s Drew Allar – as well as Georgia’s Carson Beck, Ole Miss’ Jaxson Dart, Texas’ Quinn Ewers and Oregon’s Dillon Gabriel. Clemson’s Cade Klubnik, Indiana’s Kurtis Rourke, Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders and Miami’s Cam Ward.

The winner of the prize will be announced on December 6th.

Howard, a fifth-year senior who transferred to Ohio State University for his final college football season after four years at Kansas State, was one of the most efficient passers in the country this season. He ranks second in the FBS in passer rating (183.9, behind only Rourke) and third in the nation in completion percentage (74%, behind only Gabriel and Rourke). He also gave the Buckeyes a running threat at the quarterback position, using his legs to score five touchdowns.

Howard has completed at least 80% of his pass attempts in four of Ohio State’s last five games, and whether he can continue this weekend could go a long way in determining whether the fourth-seeded Buckeyes can defeat No. 3 Penn State. The Pennsylvania native will certainly be motivated to give his best when he takes on his home state school.

“I grew up a Penn State fan. I’ve wanted to go there all my life. They thought I wasn’t good enough. I guess we’ll see next week if it was me,” Howard said after Ohio State’s win over Nebraska last Saturday.