To hear it from a panel of NFL scouts, quarterbacks Will Howard and Jalen Milroe don’t have great odds of succeeding at the next level. In his annual series, Bob McGinn spoke with a gaggle of scouts for their opinions on the top passers of the 2025 class. Most were “out” on Howard and Milroe.
In their top 10, Howard ranked seventh with Milroe ninth. Both slotted behind Louisville’s Tyler Shough, Syracuse’s Kyle McCord, and even Oregon’s Dillon Gabriel.
Scouts like Howard’s size and college success but don’t think it will translate from Saturday to Sunday.
“Howard’s a big man with maybe a below-average arm,” one scout told McGinn via Tyler Dunne’s Go Long Substack and newsletter. “He saved the best for last. Played the game of his life (against Notre Dame in the CFP finale). He’ll never play that good again as long as he lives. I just don’t believe it. He’s very ordinary. At the Combine, he was missing throws on air and the fans were booing him because they booed him all year when things didn’t go well.”
After transferring from Kansas State, Howard started slow with Ohio State before getting hot late in the season. Rebounding from an ugly loss to Michigan, Howard threw eight touchdowns to just one interception during the Buckeyes’ playoff run that ended in a national title.
A pocket passer with touch and accuracy, our own scouting report noted that Howard lacks consistent velocity to zip throws over the middle. While he offers straight-line mobility and size, he’s not dynamic like other quarterbacks in his class. Scouts also noted that he was surrounded by plenty of top-tier talent in Columbus.
“When you watch these (recent) Ohio State quarterbacks the weapons that they have on the outside is always something to consider in terms of their true value,” one said.
At his disposal was Emeka Egbuka, a potential 2025 first-round pick, and freshman sensation Jeremiah Smith, who immediately became one of college football’s best receivers and could eventually become a No. 1 overall draft pick.
Milroe was panned for different reasons. Scouts struggled to square his inaccuracy and poor decision-making with a quarterback who can thrive at the next level.
“They would tell the kid the play on the sideline and by the time he got out of the huddle it was all (messed) up,” one scout said.
Dynamic with a big arm, Milroe is one of the most polarizing prospects in the draft with uncertain stock. FOX Sports’ Colin Cowherd said he was told the Steelers are considering Milroe at No. 21 while other reports indicate teams view him as a Day 2 selection. Pittsburgh dined with Milroe and teammates ahead of Alabama Pro Day.
“Just has no feel for the game,” another scout said. “He can’t throw. Not accurate at all. He can run, but as a runner he doesn’t have any feel.”
Scouts spoke glowingly of few quarterbacks in what’s considered to be a below-average class. Miami (FL)’s Cam Ward was ranked No. 1 with Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders behind him. Ole Miss’ Jaxson Dart took third place but received a Gardner Minshew II comp, the same one we made in our scouting report.
Duke’s Riley Leonard rounded out the list of the top 10 quarterbacks. Mike Tomlin and Arthur Smith attended Notre Dame’s Pro Day Thursday presumably in part to watch Leonard throw.
