### Jon Gruden's Bold Comparison: Will Howard and Josh Allen Jon Gruden, the former NFL head coach, has made headlines by comparing Ohio State quarterback Will Howard to Buffalo Bills star Josh Allen. This comparison comes as Howard prepares for the 2025 NFL Draft, where he is projected to be a mid-round pick despite his impressive college career. Gruden's endorsement highlights Howard's potential and raises questions about his draft stock, especially given the success of Allen in the NFL. ### Breakdown of the Comparison and Its Implications 1. **Gruden's Praise**: Jon Gruden has publicly stated that Will Howard is "like a young Josh Allen," suggesting that he sees significant potential in Howard that could translate to NFL success [https://www.si.com/fannation/college/cfb-hq/news/ohio-state-football-will-howard-josh-allen-comparison]. 2. **Howard's Self-Assessment**: In response to Gruden's comments, Howard has confidently declared himself the best quarterback in the 2025 NFL Draft, indicating a strong belief in his abilities [https://sports.yahoo.com/article/ohio-states-howard-calls-himself-170557975.html]. 3. **Draft Projections**: Despite Gruden's high praise, analysts generally view Howard as a mid-round pick. This discrepancy raises questions about how much weight Gruden's endorsement will carry in the eyes of NFL teams [https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/jon-gruden-says-ohio-state-qb-will-howard-is-like-a-young-josh-allen]. 4. **Historical Context**: Gruden's comparison is particularly notable given that Josh Allen was not highly regarded coming out of college but has since become an NFL MVP. This context adds depth to Gruden's assessment of Howard [https://fansided.com/jon-gruden-just-compared-will-howard-to-josh-allen-ahead-of-nfl-draft-has-a-point]. ### Supporting Evidence and Data - **Howard's College Performance**: Will Howard led Ohio State to a national championship, showcasing his skills in high-pressure situations [https://fox59.com/sports/sports-illustrated/5953e5b5/jon-gruden-compares-projected-mid-round-quarterback-to-young-josh-allen]. - **Gruden's Track Record**: As a Super Bowl-winning coach, Gruden's opinions on quarterback talent carry significant weight, which could influence NFL teams' perceptions of Howard [https://clutchpoints.com/ncaa-football/ohio-state-football-news-jon-gruden-mind-boggling-josh-allen-comparison-will-howard]. ### Conclusion: The Future of Will Howard in the NFL Draft In summary, Jon Gruden's comparison of Will Howard to Josh Allen has sparked considerable discussion ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft. 1. **High Praise from a Respected Coach**: Gruden's endorsement could elevate Howard's draft stock, despite current projections. 2. **Howard's Confidence**: His self-assessment as the best QB in the draft reflects a strong belief in his abilities. 3. **Analyst Skepticism**: The contrast between Gruden's praise and analysts' views on Howard's draft position highlights the uncertainty surrounding his future. As the draft approaches, all eyes will be on Howard to see if he can live up to the lofty expectations set by Gruden [https://www.newsweek.com/sports/nfl/jon-gruden-will-howard-josh-allen-nfl-draft-2057791].