1 00:00:00,160 --> 00:00:03,360 Speaker 1: With the one hundred and eighty fifth pick, the Pittsburgh 2 00:00:03,400 --> 00:00:09,080 Speaker 1: Staters select Will Howard quarterback Ohio Stakes. 3 00:00:16,120 --> 00:00:18,840 Speaker 2: Well, you had the Hay Rookie crew following you around. 4 00:00:18,840 --> 00:00:20,640 Speaker 2: Have you gone back and watched any of that just 5 00:00:20,680 --> 00:00:22,639 Speaker 2: to kind of relive the draft experience. 6 00:00:22,920 --> 00:00:25,400 Speaker 1: I really haven't, to be honest with you, but I 7 00:00:25,480 --> 00:00:27,200 Speaker 1: kind of watched it as it was going through. It 8 00:00:27,240 --> 00:00:29,040 Speaker 1: was kind of weird, like sometimes I'd be in like 9 00:00:29,120 --> 00:00:31,560 Speaker 1: bars or you know, like restaurants, and I'd see it 10 00:00:31,640 --> 00:00:33,760 Speaker 1: on the TV and that was kind of weird. I 11 00:00:33,760 --> 00:00:35,159 Speaker 1: did watch it back a couple of times, and they 12 00:00:35,159 --> 00:00:37,360 Speaker 1: always send it to me before they send it out, 13 00:00:37,360 --> 00:00:38,640 Speaker 1: and it was really cool. It was kind of cool 14 00:00:38,680 --> 00:00:41,440 Speaker 1: to just get to watch myself go through the draft 15 00:00:41,520 --> 00:00:43,640 Speaker 1: process because you don't really get a lot of time 16 00:00:43,680 --> 00:00:45,720 Speaker 1: to sit back and kind of appreciate what you're doing 17 00:00:45,760 --> 00:00:47,920 Speaker 1: and you know, look back at what you've been doing 18 00:00:47,960 --> 00:00:49,320 Speaker 1: and all the work that I put in, you know, 19 00:00:49,440 --> 00:00:51,120 Speaker 1: and it was kind of it was cool, you know, 20 00:00:51,159 --> 00:00:53,040 Speaker 1: and it was a it was a long process, but 21 00:00:53,080 --> 00:00:55,480 Speaker 1: I'm glad to be here and finally just you know, 22 00:00:55,520 --> 00:00:56,280 Speaker 1: play ball again. 23 00:00:56,720 --> 00:00:59,360 Speaker 2: Besides the Hay Rookie crew being there when you got 24 00:00:59,400 --> 00:01:02,840 Speaker 2: the call from What do you remember most about that moment, 25 00:01:02,960 --> 00:01:05,840 Speaker 2: the people you were with, and maybe the feelings that 26 00:01:06,040 --> 00:01:06,640 Speaker 2: came out of you. 27 00:01:06,959 --> 00:01:09,039 Speaker 1: I remember sitting there, you know, sitting on my couch 28 00:01:09,080 --> 00:01:12,080 Speaker 1: pretty much, you know, the first three days, and you know, 29 00:01:12,160 --> 00:01:15,440 Speaker 1: nothing day one obviously, nothing day two, and then day 30 00:01:15,480 --> 00:01:17,520 Speaker 1: three starts and you know, I'm sitting on my couch 31 00:01:17,560 --> 00:01:20,520 Speaker 1: and had all the hats sitting there lined up ready, 32 00:01:20,880 --> 00:01:22,880 Speaker 1: all the camera crew ready for me to be sitting 33 00:01:22,920 --> 00:01:24,880 Speaker 1: in that seat, and a couple of times I just 34 00:01:24,920 --> 00:01:27,319 Speaker 1: got a little impatient or you know, wanted to get 35 00:01:27,360 --> 00:01:29,360 Speaker 1: up and get a snack. So I ended up, you know, 36 00:01:29,480 --> 00:01:31,319 Speaker 1: right during the sixth round, I stood up and I 37 00:01:31,360 --> 00:01:32,959 Speaker 1: went to the kitchen just because I was tired of 38 00:01:32,959 --> 00:01:34,960 Speaker 1: sitting in the same spot all day. And that was 39 00:01:34,959 --> 00:01:36,680 Speaker 1: where I got the call. I was just a relief, 40 00:01:36,760 --> 00:01:38,800 Speaker 1: you know, seeing that number come up before one two 41 00:01:38,880 --> 00:01:41,640 Speaker 1: number with Pittsburgh Steelers over top. I had gotten prank 42 00:01:41,680 --> 00:01:43,640 Speaker 1: called a couple of times, so it was nice to, 43 00:01:43,840 --> 00:01:45,040 Speaker 1: you know, actually have a real one. 44 00:01:45,520 --> 00:01:48,440 Speaker 2: Get it awesome getting a couple of couple of national 45 00:01:48,560 --> 00:01:52,880 Speaker 2: champions man, because you guys know what's required. Man. Congratulations 46 00:01:52,880 --> 00:01:55,720 Speaker 2: man to you you deserve it, man to get family. 47 00:01:55,960 --> 00:01:57,560 Speaker 1: It was just a relief, like a like a weight 48 00:01:57,600 --> 00:02:00,200 Speaker 1: off my shoulders and just you know, all of the 49 00:02:00,240 --> 00:02:03,240 Speaker 1: work kind of come into a fruition and just just 50 00:02:03,240 --> 00:02:04,960 Speaker 1: an amazing moment and super blessed. 51 00:02:05,400 --> 00:02:06,840 Speaker 2: Why did you want it to be Pittsford. 52 00:02:07,280 --> 00:02:09,600 Speaker 1: Yeah, I just felt like throughout the whole process, you know, 53 00:02:09,639 --> 00:02:12,960 Speaker 1: I had dinner with you know, coach Tomlin and Coach 54 00:02:13,000 --> 00:02:15,840 Speaker 1: Smith and Omar pro Day, I had a formal with 55 00:02:15,919 --> 00:02:18,560 Speaker 1: him at the combine, and every time I interacted with them, 56 00:02:18,560 --> 00:02:20,840 Speaker 1: it just felt like they were genuine people. You know, 57 00:02:20,840 --> 00:02:23,680 Speaker 1: everything I've heard about this about this organization is that 58 00:02:23,720 --> 00:02:26,840 Speaker 1: it's you know really, I mean, it's a historic organization 59 00:02:26,919 --> 00:02:29,639 Speaker 1: and everyone that has come through here has nothing but 60 00:02:29,720 --> 00:02:31,640 Speaker 1: good things to say about the people. Obviously, it's my 61 00:02:31,639 --> 00:02:34,799 Speaker 1: home state, close to home or close to Columbus. There's 62 00:02:34,800 --> 00:02:36,720 Speaker 1: a lot of things to like about it. And you know, 63 00:02:36,840 --> 00:02:40,760 Speaker 1: the team, you know, is a great tradition of winning, 64 00:02:40,880 --> 00:02:43,239 Speaker 1: and you know, Coach T's done a phenomenal job of 65 00:02:43,919 --> 00:02:46,160 Speaker 1: pumping out you know, playoff teams year in and year out. 66 00:02:46,280 --> 00:02:48,360 Speaker 1: So I'm just excited to be a part of this organization. 67 00:02:48,440 --> 00:02:51,200 Speaker 1: It's storied, there's a lot of history, and you know, 68 00:02:51,280 --> 00:02:52,720 Speaker 1: it's it's a blessing to be a part of it. 69 00:02:52,960 --> 00:02:54,160 Speaker 2: What was that pro day dinner? 70 00:02:54,320 --> 00:02:57,360 Speaker 1: Like when you're preparing for though, those interviews and meetings 71 00:02:57,360 --> 00:02:59,480 Speaker 1: and dinners, you know you're ready for real, a real 72 00:02:59,639 --> 00:03:02,840 Speaker 1: formal setting. You know you're ready to sit down and 73 00:03:02,880 --> 00:03:06,200 Speaker 1: you know, you know, chop, chop this this this this question, 74 00:03:06,320 --> 00:03:09,280 Speaker 1: question answer answer. But it was super laid back and coached. 75 00:03:09,280 --> 00:03:11,360 Speaker 1: T was like, listen, man, Like before we even got started, 76 00:03:11,400 --> 00:03:13,600 Speaker 1: he just said, I just want us to just kick 77 00:03:13,720 --> 00:03:15,920 Speaker 1: and get to know each other and you know, have 78 00:03:16,000 --> 00:03:18,760 Speaker 1: a good time, just break a little bread, food and fellowship, 79 00:03:18,760 --> 00:03:21,200 Speaker 1: and that's what he's about. And I really appreciated that. 80 00:03:21,240 --> 00:03:23,000 Speaker 1: I thought that that was different than most of the 81 00:03:23,000 --> 00:03:25,160 Speaker 1: meetings I had been a part of, and stuck out 82 00:03:25,160 --> 00:03:26,720 Speaker 1: to me and you know, I sat there, I sat 83 00:03:26,800 --> 00:03:29,239 Speaker 1: next to Arthur, and we got to talk a lot, 84 00:03:29,600 --> 00:03:33,160 Speaker 1: just you know, about ourselves and you know how I 85 00:03:33,240 --> 00:03:35,440 Speaker 1: like to get coached and you know what what I 86 00:03:35,480 --> 00:03:37,600 Speaker 1: think is, you know, good about my game and all 87 00:03:37,600 --> 00:03:39,240 Speaker 1: those different things. We just got to kind of chop 88 00:03:39,240 --> 00:03:40,880 Speaker 1: it up and it was it was great. It was 89 00:03:40,880 --> 00:03:43,120 Speaker 1: super laid back. It was relaxed, but it just felt 90 00:03:43,200 --> 00:03:46,080 Speaker 1: felt right, It felt normal, felt comfortable. There was probably 91 00:03:46,080 --> 00:03:48,600 Speaker 1: twelve of US Ohio State guys and we had a ball. 92 00:03:48,960 --> 00:03:51,040 Speaker 2: What is it like to have Captain Jack here? And 93 00:03:51,040 --> 00:03:54,280 Speaker 2: how did you guys get the invite to Ben Roethlisberger's. 94 00:03:54,400 --> 00:03:57,520 Speaker 1: Yeah, so that was amazing. Obviously, you know, seeing Jack 95 00:03:57,560 --> 00:03:59,560 Speaker 1: get drafted to the to the Steelers, I was like, 96 00:04:00,040 --> 00:04:01,600 Speaker 1: that just adds up. It just makes sense, you know, 97 00:04:01,760 --> 00:04:03,840 Speaker 1: just a gritty guy, you know, blue collar just going 98 00:04:03,880 --> 00:04:06,120 Speaker 1: to the Steelers just just felt like it made sense, 99 00:04:06,200 --> 00:04:08,680 Speaker 1: you know. And then I'm sitting there waiting and you know, 100 00:04:09,040 --> 00:04:11,360 Speaker 1: I had said throughout the whole process to all my boys, 101 00:04:11,480 --> 00:04:13,080 Speaker 1: you know, from Ohio State, I was like, I don't 102 00:04:13,120 --> 00:04:14,600 Speaker 1: care who it is. It doesn't have to be any 103 00:04:14,600 --> 00:04:16,719 Speaker 1: certain person, but I just hope that I land with 104 00:04:16,760 --> 00:04:19,280 Speaker 1: one guy from Ohio State, with like one teammate. And 105 00:04:19,440 --> 00:04:21,840 Speaker 1: you know, obviously, you know, as fate would have it, 106 00:04:21,880 --> 00:04:23,680 Speaker 1: you know, I mean, here we are, me and Jack, 107 00:04:23,720 --> 00:04:26,000 Speaker 1: and you know, it just worked out super well. He 108 00:04:26,080 --> 00:04:28,039 Speaker 1: was one of the first calls I made after I 109 00:04:28,120 --> 00:04:30,240 Speaker 1: jumped in my pool. I FaceTime Jack, and I know 110 00:04:30,320 --> 00:04:33,560 Speaker 1: they like I screenshoted something and they posted that everywhere 111 00:04:33,600 --> 00:04:36,520 Speaker 1: and it's super cool, just super cool to be back 112 00:04:36,520 --> 00:04:39,320 Speaker 1: with him. We developed a real special bomb last year 113 00:04:39,320 --> 00:04:41,920 Speaker 1: at Ohio State. I wish I got more time with him, 114 00:04:41,920 --> 00:04:43,360 Speaker 1: but you know, here we are, we get we get 115 00:04:43,400 --> 00:04:44,240 Speaker 1: some more time. You do. 116 00:04:45,360 --> 00:04:47,800 Speaker 2: In terms of after you got drafted, your mom did 117 00:04:47,800 --> 00:04:50,279 Speaker 2: an interview and said that you were bugging the coaches 118 00:04:50,320 --> 00:04:52,440 Speaker 2: to get the playbook and they were like, just enjoy 119 00:04:52,480 --> 00:04:54,160 Speaker 2: the weekend, like we'll see you when you come in. 120 00:04:55,080 --> 00:04:56,120 Speaker 2: What does that say about you? 121 00:04:57,200 --> 00:04:59,679 Speaker 1: I mean, yeah, you know my mom. My mom loves 122 00:04:59,680 --> 00:05:02,720 Speaker 1: to talk about my work ethic and all that. And 123 00:05:02,839 --> 00:05:04,760 Speaker 1: you know, I did send a text to Coach Arth 124 00:05:04,839 --> 00:05:07,240 Speaker 1: like today after I got drafted, just because I was 125 00:05:07,279 --> 00:05:09,120 Speaker 1: sitting there, you know, a week and a half till 126 00:05:09,200 --> 00:05:10,760 Speaker 1: Rookie Mini Camp. I didn't really have anything to do, 127 00:05:10,800 --> 00:05:12,240 Speaker 1: so I was like, I might as well get a 128 00:05:12,320 --> 00:05:14,520 Speaker 1: jump on this playbook and get into it. And you know, 129 00:05:14,560 --> 00:05:17,120 Speaker 1: I think that's what I like to hang my hat on, 130 00:05:17,240 --> 00:05:20,279 Speaker 1: is working hard. And you know, I may not be 131 00:05:20,360 --> 00:05:22,200 Speaker 1: the most talented guy in the world all the time, 132 00:05:22,240 --> 00:05:24,640 Speaker 1: but I'm gonna outwork everybody. And that's kind of, you know, 133 00:05:24,680 --> 00:05:26,800 Speaker 1: what I like to be about. And bringing the heart, 134 00:05:26,839 --> 00:05:29,159 Speaker 1: bringing the fire, and and just outworking people. 135 00:05:29,320 --> 00:05:31,279 Speaker 2: What was his pitch like when he tried to recruit 136 00:05:31,320 --> 00:05:32,279 Speaker 2: you to Akron? 137 00:05:33,240 --> 00:05:36,200 Speaker 1: Oh Man, it was a long time ago. I barely remember, 138 00:05:36,800 --> 00:05:39,520 Speaker 1: but I remember him, you know, telling me he believed 139 00:05:39,520 --> 00:05:42,360 Speaker 1: I was an NFL quarterback. And you know, there weren't 140 00:05:42,360 --> 00:05:44,000 Speaker 1: a lot of teams that would say things like that, 141 00:05:44,080 --> 00:05:46,240 Speaker 1: you know, and obviously, you know I was. I had 142 00:05:46,279 --> 00:05:49,159 Speaker 1: aspirations of playing in the Power five, and that's probably 143 00:05:49,160 --> 00:05:52,080 Speaker 1: why I, you know, passed up on Achron. But you know, 144 00:05:52,160 --> 00:05:55,760 Speaker 1: I really respected coach Arth and you know, really loved 145 00:05:55,760 --> 00:05:56,240 Speaker 1: what he did. 146 00:05:56,400 --> 00:06:00,000 Speaker 2: Lastly for you, tell me the characteristics that make you 147 00:06:00,000 --> 00:06:00,880 Speaker 2: a good quarterback? 148 00:06:01,000 --> 00:06:03,720 Speaker 1: You know, I think first and foremost is my leadership. 149 00:06:03,760 --> 00:06:06,320 Speaker 1: You know, I think you know, I'm a relationships based guy, 150 00:06:06,400 --> 00:06:08,159 Speaker 1: and that's what I'm working on right now. You know, 151 00:06:08,200 --> 00:06:09,960 Speaker 1: I know I'm a rookie. I want to stay in 152 00:06:09,960 --> 00:06:11,760 Speaker 1: my lane and make sure that I'm smart about that, 153 00:06:11,880 --> 00:06:13,599 Speaker 1: but I also want to get to know everyone in 154 00:06:13,640 --> 00:06:16,279 Speaker 1: the locker room and build those relationships, you know, because 155 00:06:16,680 --> 00:06:19,039 Speaker 1: they're not gonna you know, they're not gonna care how 156 00:06:19,120 --> 00:06:20,960 Speaker 1: much I know unless they know how much I care. 157 00:06:21,120 --> 00:06:24,320 Speaker 1: You know, and that's that's something I think is really 158 00:06:24,600 --> 00:06:27,040 Speaker 1: important to me, is just getting to build those relationships. 159 00:06:27,040 --> 00:06:28,840 Speaker 1: And I'm trying to take that time to do that 160 00:06:28,920 --> 00:06:30,680 Speaker 1: right now. And I know it's a process. You know, 161 00:06:30,720 --> 00:06:33,320 Speaker 1: I'm being a rookie. I understand how this lead works, 162 00:06:34,120 --> 00:06:36,039 Speaker 1: you know. I think that's that's number one. And then 163 00:06:36,200 --> 00:06:39,000 Speaker 1: my ability to process, you know, and understand the game. 164 00:06:39,080 --> 00:06:42,159 Speaker 1: I think that sets me apart as a quarterback. But 165 00:06:42,279 --> 00:06:44,240 Speaker 1: you know, and then I think third, I would just 166 00:06:44,279 --> 00:06:46,800 Speaker 1: say my work ethic, you know, and I'm never taking 167 00:06:46,800 --> 00:06:50,039 Speaker 1: note for an answer, always, you know, wanting to outwork everyone. 168 00:06:50,080 --> 00:06:51,800 Speaker 1: And that's kind of what I like to hang my 169 00:06:51,839 --> 00:06:52,120 Speaker 1: hat on. 170 00:06:52,400 --> 00:06:52,760 Speaker 2: Perfect. 171 00:06:52,800 --> 00:06:54,000 Speaker 1: Thanks Will, Thanks MISSI.