West Chester, PA, Will Howard’s parents founded the Baby Merlin Company and developed the Magic Sleepsuit.
The No. 8 seed Ohio State Buckeyes delivered a statement win at the Rose Bowl, dismantling No.1 seed Oregon 41-21 in the College Football Playoff quarterfinal on Wednesday in Pasadena, California.
Highlights
- Will Howard and his team, the Ohio State Buckeyes, defeated the Oregon Bucks 41-21.
- Howard was born to his father, Bob Howard, and his mother, Maureen Howard.
- He grew up with his two sisters, Victoria and Grace, and one brother, Ryan Howard.
With the win, the Buckeyes advance to the College Football Playoff semifinal. They will face No. 5 seed Texas in the Cotton Bowl on Friday, January 10, 2024, for a national title game berth.
Ohio State quarterback Will Howard and true freshman wide receiver Jeremiah Smith spearheaded the Buckeyes’ offense as they jumped out to a 34-0 lead in the first half.
Howard passed for 269 yards and 3 touchdowns before halftime. After that match, Will said,
We came out and played angry and I think it showed,” “We jumped out to an early lead and it was hard for them to come back.” “We knew they were going to come back and do something, they’re too good of a team to not score any points. We knew they were going to mount some sort of a comeback. It wasn’t going to be perfect so we just had to weather the storm and make sure that we won the game when it counted.”
Will Howard
Earlier this season, Ohio State was outdueled by Oregon as the Big Ten rivals battled in a 32-21 classic back in October.
Down by one, with the Buckeyes driving later in the 4th quarter, Will questionably scrambled for a 12-yard gain, sliding as time expired, sealing the loss for the then No.2 ranked Buckeyes.
Howard also explained about getting redemption against Oregon,
“It’s unbelievable,”“A younger me would be in awe and I just got to take it all in and enjoy this with my boys and we got two more [games], so we’re not done yet.”
Will Howard
Howard ended the game with 319 passing yards and three touchdowns in the game known as the “Granddaddy of Them All.”
QB Will Howard Grew Up With His Sports-Enthusiast Parents
Will Howard, 23, was born on September 24, 2001, in West Chester, Pennsylvania, United States, to his father, Bob Howard, and his mother, Maureen Howard.
His upbringing influenced his development as an athlete in a sports-loving family, fostering his love of football.
Will’s father, Bob, was awarded a Master’s degree in counseling psychology by Villanova University.
Bob has served as vice president of M&T Bank and Mellon Bank.
He co-founded Baby Merlin Company and co-created the Magic Sleepsuit with his wife, Maureen Howard.
Despite his lack of experience on the football field, he was able to identify Will as a player at such an early age.
In one interview, Will’s father expressed his happiness with his son’s current status. He said,
“Two years old, he was shooting baskets in the basement, making them. We said there’s something a little different about him,” “But never expected this really. This is a dream. It’s been a fun ride.”
Bob Howard
On the other hand, Will’s mother, Maureen Howard, studied biology at the University of Delaware and later graduated with a Master’s degree in Physical Therapy from Temple University.
Her official LinkedIn profile shows she owns the Magic Sleepsuit company, founded in June 2021.
In November 2024, ahead of the Michigan game, Maureen reflected on Will’s journey to Ohio State. She said,
“We knew that college football journey has highs and lows, and you have to be ready for the rollercoaster ride, so I think that prepared us — like ‘OK, let’s do it.’ There’s going to be good moments, bad moments, and everything in between,”
Maureen Howard
She added,
“I was praying. I was literally praying the whole time. People always ask me if I get nervous and I always say, I kinda go by Will and if he’s calm and feels ready then I’m much calmer,” “I saw the look in his eyes and I knew they weren’t going to lose that game.”
Maureen Howard
Will Howard And His Family Are Originally From The United States
The Ohio State Buckeyes QB Will Howard and his entire family hold American nationality and white ethnicity.
Will’s family includes his three siblings, Ryan, Victoria, and Grace Howard.
Ryan, 19, is his younger brother, born on June 8, 2005, and was the 54th-best offensive tackle in the Class of 2024 by ESPN. He currently plays for Kansas State University.
His sister, Victoria Ann Howard, 21, was born on June 10, 2003, and is a freshman swimmer at Downingtown West High School.
She majors in rehabilitation and human services and minors in psychology. She plans to become an occupational therapist in elementary school.
His sister Grace, 14, was born in 2011. However, she has remained out of the media spotlight.
Additional Information
- American football quarterback Will Howard has an estimated net worth of around $7 million as of 2025.
- Following an official visit to Columbus, Howard committed to Ohio State for his senior season on January 4, 2024, and was named the starter on August 5, 2024.
- He was named the Maxwell Football Club Pennsylvania Player of the Year after passing for 2,543 yards and 27 touchdowns as a senior.
