COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohio State’s is about to have its most populated Pro Day in almost a decade. Yet, the most intriguing prospect on the field could be someone who isn’t even NFL Draft eligible...for another two years.
Will Howard’s first pass as a Buckeye was a tunnel screen to Jeremiah Smith that was blocked up perfectly for an explosive play. But the freshman dropped the pass. He’d never do that again on his way to 76 catches for 1,315 yards and 15 touchdowns on 105 targets. Howard was on the throwing hand for all but one of those touchdowns and practically every one of those catches. That included their last play together in the College Football Playoff National Championship game against Notre Dame. The two connected on a third-and-11 completion that essentially clinched the win.
Now the question is whether the two will get to be together one final time as Howard makes his last public appearance hoping to raise his draft stock in Columbus.
OSU isn’t new to the idea of letting players participate in Pro Day earlier in their careers. Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson did so in 2021 as Justin Fields' receivers. Then, they had C.J. Stroud to catch passes from when they went through the process themselves in 2022. Marvin Harrison Jr.‘s only Pro Day was while helping Stroud in 2023.
In each case, the opportunity allowed them to feel what it’s like to perform in front of the scout. It also provided the scout with an early look at what was still cooking inside the program.
Head coach Ryan Day wouldn’t say whether Smith will be part of things, but did reveal that Carnell Tate and Brandon Inniss will be.
Tate caught 52 passes for 733 yards and four touchdowns last season. Inniss — who’s moving into a more prominent role in 2025 — caught 14 passes for 176 yards and a score.
Both will be NFL Draft eligible in 2026.
Here’s the full list of participants in Ohio State’s Pro Day on Wednesday: