Ohio State’s Will Howard shares heartwarming pregame ritual that helps him succeed

Ohio State Quarterback Will Howard has been the leader of a Buckeyes team that is contending for a College Football Playoff national championship this season.

During his first year as Ohio State’s signal-caller after transferring from Kansas StateHoward helped take the Buckeyes to the CFP semifinals. Along the way, Howard received support from a touching source: voicemails sent by his late grandmother.

Howard shared before Ohio State’s game against Texas On Thursday, he listens to two voice messages from his late grandmother before each of his matches.

“Before every game, I listen to two voicemails that my late grandmother sent me and I’ve been doing that every game for three years now,” Howard told ESPN’s Jen Lada. “I listen to his voicemail and it brought me this immense peace. This year it was really about the playoffs, in fact it probably made me go even further. I think it really made me help.”

“Hiya Will, it’s Nana. I just want to wish you well. I support you,” her grandmother says in the first voicemail.

In the second voicemail, his message reads: “I just hope everything goes well for you. Go get them.”

Since he started listening to those memos, Howard has continued to improve and become the starter for one of the best teams in the country. During the 2024 season, Howard recorded career highs in almost every metric, throwing for 3,490 yards and 32 touchdowns. He helped the Buckeyes defeat Tennessee in the first round of the CFP, and take a 34-0 lead over No. 1 Oregon– throw three touchdowns in Rose Bowl victory.