Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Will Howard Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
ArticlesCollege FootballBy Ben Axelrod on

The College Football Playoff national title game is still a week away, but the trash talk between the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and Ohio State Buckeyes is already heating up.

That includes from one of the team’s former quarterbacks, with ex-Notre Dame signal-caller Malik Zaire taking to social media to slam current Buckeyes quarterback Will Howard.

“All the great QBs Ohio State has had the last 15 yrs and Howard is def the worst one by far and ostate fans are trying to convince me that he’s gonna lead them to the chip?!?!” Zaire posted to X. “Lmao ok I’d even take the OG Jalin Marshall at QB before Howard!!!!!!!!”

A former high school quarterback, Marshall primarily played wide receiver during his career at Ohio State from 2013-2015.

Zaire proceeded to post a series of clips highlighting some of Howard’s worst plays of the season.

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While Howard might not possess the same pro potential that Dwayne Haskins, Justin Fields and C.J. Stroud did or rewrite the Ohio State record books like J.T. Barrett, he’s clearly done an admirable job in his lone season as the Buckeyes’ starting quarterback. After transferring from Kansas State, the Downingtown, Pennsylvania, native has performed admirably as Ohio State’s top signal-caller, competing 72.6 percent of his passes for 3,779 yards, 33 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.

What’s more is that Howard has been at his best during the College Football Playoff, helping lead the Buckeyes to a first-round victory over Tennessee and wins over Oregon in the Rose Bowl and Texas in the Cotton Bowl. That’s put Ohio State on a collision course with Zaire’s alma mater in the national title game, with the Kettering, Ohio, native making it clear he doesn’t think the Buckeyes stand a chance.

“Will Howard can’t beat us. We come to play it’s a ND 2025 Champ season!” he wrote.

About Ben Axelrod

Ben Axelrod is a veteran of the sports media landscape, having most recently worked for NBC's Cleveland affiliate, WKYC. Prior to his time in Cleveland, he covered Ohio State football and the Big Ten for outlets including Cox Media Group, Bleacher Report, Scout and Rivals.

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