Quick Hits: Will Howard Feels “Blessed” to Be a Buckeye, Quinshon Judkins Chose Ohio State For Its “Great Culture” and Caleb Downs Believes in Ryan Day and the Buckeyes

One month ago, Ohio State football returned to Columbus from Arlington, Texas, where the Buckeyes fell to the Missouri Tigers 14-3 in the Cotton Bowl.

With the defeat, Ohio State had reached a low point. Three consecutive seasons with a loss to Michigan. Three consecutive seasons without a Big Ten championship. Three consecutive seasons with an 11-2 record.

Ohio State head coach Ryan Day responded with one of the greatest starts to the offseason in recent memory, retooling the Buckeyes’ staff with Bill O’Brien and Matt Guerrieri and reloading the Buckeyes’ roster with draft-eligible seniors, a talented crop of new freshmen and five veteran transfers: Will Howard, Quinshon Judkins, Seth McLaughlin, Will Kacmarek and Caleb Downs.

Those transfers met Ohio State beat reporters for the first time on Tuesday.

Among the many topics discussed in the Woody Hayes Athletic Center, Howard shared his excitement to play quarterback for the Buckeyes, Judkins said he chose Ohio State for its "great culture, great teammates and great coaches" and Downs revealed his high expectations for the Buckeyes’ 2024 defense.

Videos from the five media sessions, as well as bullet-point recaps of what each player said, can be found below.

QB Will Howard

• On why he chose Ohio State: “There were a lot of reasons why, but when I got to the end, it was more, ‘Why not?’ I just felt like this was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up on. I thought I had a really good relationship with Coach Day, thought he was a really good guy, and obviously didn’t know about the Coach O’Brien news but that fired me up too. I couldn't be happier and more blessed to be here."
• Howard said he didn’t recall exactly when the Buckeyes reached out to him, but when he knew there was an opportunity to play in Columbus he was willing to wait and see what direction Ohio State went in at quarterback after the Cotton Bowl. “I was patient and I knew that going into Ohio State and playing quarterback here would be a huge honor and an opportunity that would be hard to pass up.”
• Had he not gone to Ohio State, Howard said the next thing he was “closest” to doing was entering the NFL draft. “I was projected a third- to sixth-round (pick), that’s what I was hearing. ... I felt like my talent level didn’t really match where my stock was and I felt like I couldn’t pass up an opportunity to bump that up.”
• On his fit in Ohio State’s offense: “The things that Coach Day does in his offense and that Coach O’Brien does I feel really fit my type of build, my type of player. Where I was coming from at K-State, it was a very run-heavy type of offense, especially quarterback run-heavy, which I was very happy doing and didn’t my doing at all. I’m excited here to where I can be more of that pocket passer and also use my legs when I need to. But I feel like my strength is in my arm.”
• The receiving weapons that will surround him also proved to be a draw of Ohio State to Howard. “The talent here is unbelievable.”
• On freshman wide receiver Jeremiah Smith: “Man, he’s a specimen. That dude is a freak show when it comes to physical (attributes). I’m excited to see him out on the field in live action.”
• On being one of five quarterbacks in Ohio State’s position room: “We definitely talked about it. We’re all here to compete and we’re all here to help the Buckeyes win. That’s all we’re here for. That was made evident when I came on my visit and the thing that I’m most fired up about is how good the dudes in the room are and how good they’ve been to me.”
• While he felt he could “put up a lot of numbers” in some of the air-raid offenses that were recruiting him, the pro-style nature of Ohio State’s offense was another draw, one that grew following his commitment when Bill O’Brien was named offensive coordinator. “Coach O’Brien, he was just with the Patriots. How much better can you prepare for the NFL than with someone who’s coached at a head coach level and at a coordinator level in the NFL? All the things pointed to Ohio State.”
• On how his tribulations of being forced into a backup role as a junior and thrust into being a starter twice due to injury at Kansas State prepared him for the pressures of being an Ohio State quarterback: “I’ve just matured and learned so much from those experiences. I feel like it’s made me a lot tougher. I’m really hard to break now. You can say what you want about me but I’m still me. At the end of the day, I trust God and God’s got me no matter what.”

S Caleb Downs

• Why he chose to be a Buckeye: “I just love the program here. I love Coach Walton and love what the people had to say around here. I believe in Coach Day, and I believe in this team.”
• He said there was “definitely some back and forth” between Ohio State and Georgia before he committed to the Buckeyes.
• Downs said the transfer portal is like “recruiting on steroids.” He estimated he got 102 calls in his first 7-8 hours in the transfer portal. He said he took about 80 of those calls.
• Why he believes in Ryan Day: “He was very genuine when I was getting recruited in high school, and he was very genuine when I talked to him two weeks ago. So, just being able to understand that he’s about the people that he works with. And he believes in the people that he’s around. He believes in the people that he believes in. So just knowing that and knowing what he stands for, it means a lot.”
• Downs said he expects to primarily play the adjuster position (free safety) in Ohio State’s defense. “At the end of the day, I just want to play where I can get on the field.”
• Downs said he hopes to continue returning punts at Ohio State, “but at the end of the day, that’s the coach’s decision.”
• Will Ohio State’s defense be the best in the nation? “I expect us to be one of the best. I expect us to excel and be better than they were last year. I expect us to be elite.”
• Downs said he has had “a really smooth transition” from Alabama to Ohio State because of how players and coaches have welcomed him in.
• Downs said NIL was not the primary factor in his decision to become a Buckeye: “At the end of the day, I love playing football. And that’s what I’m here to do. I’m not here to make money or do anything like that. I know there’s a lot of opportunities here in terms of the city of Columbus, but at the end of the day, I’m here to help this team win football games and I’m here to do my best to try to develop.”
• His reaction to Nick Saban’s retirement: “It was a huge surprise walking into that meeting and him saying that. My heart dropped, for sure. But at the end of the day, if that’s what he felt was best for him, I love him for it, and that’s what he needed to do.”
• How are Ohio State and Alabama similar? “It’s all about the work. It’s all about the process. It’s all about doing everything daily to push yourself to be where we need to be at the end of the ride.”
• How he would describe his game: “Very instinctual player. Very athletic. Being able to make plays all over the field, being able to see plays before they happen.”
• Downs described freshman quarterback Julian Sayin, who also transferred from Alabama, as “very strong-willed. You can see the intensity that he goes about his business with. Very focused person.”
• Downs says Budda Baker, Minkah Fitzpatrick, Ed Reed, Brian Dawkins and Ronnie Lott are among the current and former NFL safeties he likes watching.

RB Quinshon Judkins

• On why he came to Ohio State: “My answer would be, why not Ohio State? The place with great culture, the best coaches, the best players, the best fanbase that’s very passionate about their team and the whole city.”
• On how familiar he was with OSU before he entered the transfer portal: “I think growing up, Ohio State isn’t just a school you hear about at that certain moment, with all the accolades they’ve had, all the great players that have come through here, some of my favorite running backs have played here. It’s always a school you’ve looked at growing up. I think with me being in the portal, it was a great situation to be in.”
• Judkins said he wanted to make his commitment to Ohio State official the moment after Michigan won the national championship because “this is where I wanted to be.”
• Ezekiel Elliott, J.K. Dobbins and Trey Sermon are three of Judkins’ favorite running backs that played at OSU.
• Judkins said he and TreVeyon Henderson haven’t had a conversation about what the backfield splits may look like because they’re both “very competitive about what we do,” but said he feels “fortunate” to be playing at OSU with him.
• On if having a potentially lighter workload was a factor in going to OSU: “No, I think just the situation here. Just doing what I can to help contribute to the team and just doing what I can do win a national championship, just play my part.”
• On why he wanted to come to OSU when he had options to transfer to other schools without an established running back: “I think just the idea of coming to a team where you’re playing for something bigger than yourself. A lot of great players have come here as you’ve seen through the portal. I think when you come together for a cause that’s bigger than yourself, you have great players around you, you want to win, and that’s what it’s all about.”
• On what he and TreVeyon Henderson have spoken about: “TreVeyon and I have always been close on social media before I even came here. We’ve always been in contact and supporting each other throughout our collegiate careers. When I decided to come here, he was very excited.”
• On why he wanted to leave Ole Miss: “You know, I’ve done some great things at Ole Miss, I’ve learned a lot. But just for me in my third year, you want to be somewhere like Ohio State with great culture, great teammates, great coaches, best players and the best fanbase.”
• Judkins said he believes Ryan Day and Bill O’Brien will put him in a position to elevate him as a player and show more in his game.
• On what OSU pitched to him regarding his role while recruiting him in the portal: “Just being an all-around back. Doing it all, really. Not just running the ball in-between the tackles or outside. Getting me involved in the passing game and showcasing everything I can do as a player.”
• On Bill O’Brien: “I played against him when he was coaching at Alabama in 2022. I saw how he used Jahmyr Gibbs and I’ve seen a lot of those things. I’ve also followed his career with the Patriots as well. He’s spoken to the team about who he is as a coach, how he plans to involve everyone and what his role is.”
• On his running style: “I think I run tough, very elusive, fast. I have vision and patience. I can make people miss, I can run you over, I can catch. It’s all very different.”
• On how he views the transfer portal and the rumors that can go with it: “There’s many things that have been thrown out there as far as when players go into the portal and things that aren’t true. It’s actually more than that. Players just want to elevate their game and show who they are.”
• On what he heard from Ole Miss when he left: “It was crazy. There were a lot of different things, a lot of different emotions. But it’s a business. So you understand it. People won’t always be happy about the decisions you make when it’s the best for yourself. Like I said man, I’m excited to be here and do what I can to win it all.”
• On how much NIL was a factor in coming to OSU: “Definitely not a factor. I think just me as a player, I play football at the end of the day. I go out there and contribute what I can do for my team, that’s what I focus on.”
• On Will Howard: “I think he’s a great quarterback. I see he has vision, he could use his legs, throw as well. He’s smart, just looking at his film while he was at Kansas State, it’s been awesome.”
• On what he’s heard about the Michigan rivalry: “Oh, it’s big time. I’ve always heard a lot about it. But to be here, you see how big it is. They’ve got the clock in there with the countdown. It’s serious. I’m excited to beat the team up north and that’s what we’re working toward.
• On what he saw playing against Caleb Downs: “Definitely a great player. Caleb did some great things at Alabama and we’re excited to have him. When we played him we had a different gameplan, we were trying to throw the ball and he was very successful in stopping it.”
• On how important it is for running backs to be well-rounded: “I think it’s definitely important, especially with where things are going with running backs in today’s game. I think overall you have to showcase not just what you can do as a running back in the backfield, but in the slot or wherever the coaches put you. Pass protection is very important as well, that’s important for me personally.”
• On how he handled negative reception from Ole Miss after he decided to transfer: “Just through this whole process, it’s my first time ever going through this. And like I said, many things were said just from rumors and all those things. I think throughout this process I’ve learned a lot and I’m very thankful to have the support of my family and the coaches throughout this process.”
• Judkins said OSU was on his radar as a destination immediately when he entered the portal.
• On wanting to make a quick decision in the portal: “I think moreso for me, it wasn’t about like ‘This is where I want to go immediately.’ But I wanted to make my process pretty short. Especially because I got in at a later time and I had to be enrolled in school. Just figuring out where I wanted to go and making that decision as soon as possible.”

C Seth McLaughlin

• On why he chose to play for Ohio State: “I thought Ohio State is one of the greatest programs in college football.”… Coming from Alabama, McLaughlin said he wanted to transfer to another school that is “always competing for championships, has great coaching and development.”
• On whether playing Michigan was a reason he transferred to Ohio State: “That wasn’t one of the reasons I came for. … (But) it’s gonna be fun to play them again.”
• On Nick Saban retiring: “It was pretty surprising.” McLaughlin said Alabama players had an idea that Saban could move on from football a few years from now, but he said very few players — if any  — expected Saban would retire after the 2023 season.
• On his decision to play for Ohio State after leaving Alabama: “I’ve always thrived off of change. (I had) three offensive coordinators, two offensive line coaches, three strength staffs (at Alabama).” McLaughlin said he looks forward to playing for another staff and trusts Ohio State can develop him into an NFL-caliber player.
• On Bill O’Brien: “I’m very excited to have him as a coach again.” McLaughlin says O’Brien expects a lot out of his players and wants them to prepare and play like professionals. “He’s a very good leader of men.”… “I think we can have a lot of success with him.”
• McLaughlin said he can’t explain some of the snapping issues he ran into last season at Alabama. “I’ve been snapping a football since I was 7 years old, and I never had issues with it. … I look forward to getting back into it. … It’s like shooting a free throw.”
• On his first couple of weeks at Ohio State after four years at Alabama: “I kind of feel like a freshman. I have to get on task and figure out how things work here.”
• On whether he will play center or guard at Ohio State: “I’m not really sure about that. I came here as an offensive lineman. I didn’t really come here for a specific position. … I am here for the success of the program.”
• On Will Howard: “I really like Will. Will’s a great guy. He has a ton of experience, and it will be really fun to play with him.” Later, McLaughlin added: “He’s a very impressive guy. He’s very intelligent. He’s smart. He’s played in a lot of games. He’s a Big 12 champion, and he’s won championship games. Going and playing with a quarterback that knows how to win games was a super big thing to me because my main goal is to win football games in my fifth year.”
• On leaving Alabama: “We’re playing this sport to be professionals. For my benefit, I thought the change would be good. … I love the Alabama fans, but I look forward to this advantage.”
• On Caleb Downs: “I’ve been watching Caleb for a year now at Alabama. He was very, very impressive. He walked in and acted like a third-year starter. He was a veteran. ... He’s one of the most impressive freshmen I’ve seen come through Alabama.”

TE Will Kacmarek

• Kacmarek said “it’s a dream come true” to be at Ohio State. “Ever since I was young, it’s been a dream (of mine) to play at the highest level. Now that I am here, it’s really exciting. I’m pumped for this opportunity.”
• On whether he thought Ohio State would be one of the schools to contact him when he entered the transfer portal: “Not at all. Not at all, no. It’s been a long process, for sure. (At Ohio), my goal was to come every day and play my hardest. I think building day by day at OU kind of led me to this opportunity.” 
• Kacmarek said Ohio State reached out to him “pretty quickly" when he entered the transfer portal. "A bunch of schools (contacted me) as soon as I entered. I was a little bit late to enter the portal since I had a lot of family discussions and things like that. As soon as I entered, I got a lot of attention. I connected really easily with all of the coaches here, and I knew that this was my home.”
• On his decision to transfer from Ohio to Ohio State: “I’m trying to play the best football as possible. I’m trying to be the best player as possible. I think that was in the back of my head that I believe I can be at this level.”
• On what makes Ohio State a good fit for him: “They use their tight ends a bunch. I love to block. I love to catch passes. They use them in both aspects. I think it’s a great opportunity for me. … It was exciting to see (Cade Stover excel in 2023). They utilized him a lot in the run game and the pass game. He had a bunch of yards. I am excited to explore that skill set that I have.”
• On his first few weeks on campus: “At first, it was pretty crazy because there’s a lot more hype, a lot more fans, a lot more attention. But it’s not too much different in the locker room. Everyone is here to play football, and we’re all just guys at the end of the day. I’m comfortable now.”
• On Keenan Bailey: “I love how he is still my coach, but he’s also another one of the guys. He’s super personable. We can talk about different things. Nothing is too strict or too serious. We will chat through techniques and stuff like that, and he makes it really fun and enjoyable.”
• Kacmarek said Sam Wiglusz, a former Ohio State wide receiver and Kacmarek’s teammate at Ohio, told him that he loved his time with the Buckeyes. “Once I entered the portal, I took note of all the good things he said about the program. You could see the player he’s become today. He was a baller at OU. Two years in a row, he was first-team All-MAC. You could see how people here could be developed.”
• On his relationship with Ohio State walk-on linebacker Jalen Pace: “Jalen has been one of my really good friends. We played youth football together, high school football together, basketball together. When I told him I was committed here, it was really exciting. … He’s loved it here and said it was an awesome place.”
• On Ohio State’s tight end room: “The tight ends have been super welcoming. The GA, Sean (Binckes), and Coach Kee have been welcoming and have done a lot for me. It was a pretty smooth process. Everyone is welcoming, and we have a pretty good atmosphere in the locker room.”