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8. Will Howard, Ohio State
Height: 6-foot-4 | Weight: 236 poundsClass: Senior | Projected range: Mid Day 3
Best team fit: Las Vegas Raiders
Where he excels: There wasn't a prospect who did more for his draft stock during the College Football Playoff than Howard. Following his worst performance of the season against Michigan in the regular-season finale, he threw for 1,150 passing yards, eight touchdowns and two interceptions during the Buckeyes' four-game run to win the national championship.
Howard was comfortable in the pocket and scanned through his progressions efficiently. His accuracy impressed me the most, as he completed over 80% of his passes in two of the four games (Tennessee and Notre Dame). Howard's growth was evident, and he boosted his stock multiple rounds during Ohio State's championship run.
He took advantage of the Buckeyes' many playmakers in 2024 after transferring from Kansas State, throwing for 4,010 yards, 35 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He added another seven scores on the ground. Howard is a dual-threat passer with a good enough arm and the mobility to be an extension of the run game. His 89.6 QBR led all passers in the FBS.
Howard performed a 65-pass script in front of all 32 teams at Ohio State's pro day. He showed efficiency down the field and over the middle, two types of throws that were emphasized during the workout. "He's big, mobile, and just look how that team responded to his hot run late in the year," an AFC scout said following the workout.
Where he needs work: Many of Howard's warts show up when defenses speed up his processing. He tends to drop his eyes and immediately look for running lanes. He must become more patient and read progressions even at the hint of pressure.
Another factor is how open the Buckeyes' targets tend to be when making completions, as 34.8% of Howard's attempts last season were deemed as wide open, the ninth-highest mark in the FBS. Scouts want to see more throws into tight windows or contested coverages because that's what he'll have to do in the NFL.
Howard struggled with his ball placement at the combine, especially on dig routes over the middle. The lack of familiarity with the receivers in Indy showed, as his accuracy was sporadic and he had trouble throwing to spots. QBs at the combine often struggle in syncing up with the timing of receivers they've never worked with, but Howard's issues are worth noting.
9. Dillon Gabriel, Oregon
Height: 5-foot-11 | Weight: 205 poundsClass: Senior | Projected range: Mid Day 3
Best team fit: Miami Dolphins
Where he excels: Gabriel was one of the most productive quarterbacks in college football history, as the left-handed passer threw for 18,722 yards and 155 touchdowns over six college seasons, including stints at UCF (2019-21) and Oklahoma (2022-23) before he transferred to Oregon. He thrived with the Ducks, leading them to a 13-0 regular-season record and a Big Ten championship this past season.
His completion percentage increased each season of his career, and his 72.9% in 2024 ranked third in the FBS. Gabriel is at his best when he can attack underneath voids in defenses, which helps him take advantage of space in shallow areas while mixing in occasional deep shots.
He displayed those traits in the last two days of Senior Bowl practices. His touch, anticipation and accuracy were noteworthy, as he had multiple layered throws that caught my attention. He understands his limitations and is able to see windows before they open and throw the ball to spots he expects targets to reach.
Where he needs work: Gabriel has below-average arm strength and throws a lot of perimeter screens and short routes intended to generate yards after the catch. He averaged only 6.5 air yards per attempt, which ranked 122nd out of 129 qualified passers. These short passes are often easy throws, as Gabriel threw 36% of his passes to wide-open receivers, the fourth-highest rate in the FBS.
He didn't have a lot of velocity behind his throws at the combine, either, but his anticipation and drop timing were noteworthy. That anticipation -- which we saw with him throwing the ball prematurely on several routes in Indianapolis to time it up -- is necessary with his lack of arm strength.
He also endured an adjustment period at the Senior Bowl, struggling to take snaps cleanly from under center during the first day before playing better the next two. He will need to be in an offense that uses multiple RPOs and takes advantage of the middle of the field to capitalize on his quick release, accuracy and split-second decision-making.
10. Max Brosmer, Minnesota
Height: 6-foot-2 | Weight: 217 poundsClass: Senior | Projected range: Late Day 3/UDFA
Best team fit: New Orleans Saints
Where he excels: Brosmer made the FCS-to-FBS transition quite nicely, throwing for 2,828 passing yards, 18 touchdowns and six interceptions this past season while showing steady growth. That followed a great career at New Hampshire, where he racked up 8,467 passing yards and 68 touchdowns in four seasons, including an FCS-best 3,459 yards in 2023.
Brosmer is a quick passer with unwavering confidence and a constant chip on his shoulder. He has an average arm but gets the ball out quickly. Both his completion percentage (66.5%) and off-target percentage (9.4%) ranked in the top 25 of the FBS and demonstrated his understanding of how to place the ball in tight coverage.
Brosmer had an impressive showing during the final two days of practices at the Shrine Bowl. His accuracy and decision-making in the red zone were among the best of the group. He consistently played on time and even squeezed multiple passes into tight windows against different types of coverages.
If I had to circle one QB who could be a popular candidate for a Round 6 or 7 flier, it would be Brosmer. He shares similar traits to longtime NFL backups who spend a decade or more in the league.
Where he needs work: Brosmer's inconsistent drive strength on throws shows on tape and was noticeable at the combine, as some of his passes tail off as they get closer to their targets, especially over the middle. He also is prone to hanging onto the ball too long when looking for a bigger play instead of checking down. That results in sacks, as he took 26 last season, 32nd most in the FBS.
11. Kurtis Rourke, Indiana
Height: 6-foot-4 | Weight: 220 poundsClass: Redshirt senior | Projected range: Late Day 3/UDFA
Best team fit: Indianapolis Colts
Where he excels: Rourke has quietly created interest in NFL circles, as he racked up 7,651 passing yards and 61 total touchdowns (50 passing, 11 rushing) in five seasons at Ohio before transferring to Indiana. He had 3,042 passing yards, 29 touchdowns and five interceptions in 2024, helping lead the Hoosiers to their first College Football Playoff appearance. His 69.4% completion percentage ranked eighth in the FBS, and multiple NFL decision-makers I've spoken to have taken note of his improvement.
"Why aren't more people talking about this guy?" a scouting director for an AFC team said during the season. "He's had nothing but success on two levels, and there hasn't been any drop-off since he moved up."
Where he needs work: Rourke needs to be more efficient through his progressions. There are times when he gets stuck on the first or second read instead of eliminating them quickly based on pre- and post-snap structures. Hanging on to those routes with the hope they come open resulted in him missing other open options or being forced to escape avoidable pressure.
There are also injury concerns with Rourke, who played with a torn right ACL last season and underwent surgery in January. He did not throw at the combine, as he's still recovering from the surgery. He played all season on the injury, which was the second time he tore his right ACL. He originally injured the knee in 2022 while playing at Ohio.
12. Riley Leonard, Notre Dame
Height: 6-foot-4 | Weight: 216 poundsClass: Senior | Projected range: Late Day 3/UDFA
Best team fit: Baltimore Ravens
Where he excels: Leonard spent the first three seasons of his career (2021-23) at Duke, where he passed for a combined 4,450 yards, 24 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He transferred to Notre Dame with considerable expectations.
A dual-threat passer, Leonard finished his only season with the Irish throwing for 2,861 yards, 21 touchdowns and eight interceptions while adding another 906 yards and 17 scores on the ground. Leonard is a quick-game operator who thrives in a timing-based offense. He excels when he gets the ball out quickly, and his 78.7 QBR last season ranked 12th in the FBS.
He has more than enough mobility to escape and create outside of the structure of the offense. He's also a tough runner on designed QB runs. Excluding sacks, Leonard's 1,012 rushing yards were the eighth most among QBs.
Where he needs work: The Irish offense didn't venture to the intermediate or deeper parts of the field. Leonard averaged only 7.1 air yards per passing attempt (83rd in FBS), which shows that the team stayed in the underneath areas. He was asked to throw deeper passes at the combine, and the lack of drive strength on the throws was apparent, especially when he had to step into passes and display velocity.
When the initial option isn't open, Leonard tends to hang on to the ball or immediately drop his eyes to look for available running lanes. He needs to have more play patience by continuing to stay on schedule through the next steps of his progressions.
