In 2022, Oklahoma had to watch as one of their former players, USC quarterback Caleb Williams, won the Heisman Trophy after showing so much promise with the Sooners before following head coach Lincoln Riley to the West Coast.
It was a bitter pill to swallow for Oklahoma fans and something Kansas State fans might have to prepare themselves for in 2024.
BetMGM has Ohio State starting quarterback and former Kansas State quarterback Will Howard among its Heisman Trophy favorites going into the 2024 season, listing him at +1400 odds. Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel(+700) is the odds-on favorite, followed by Georgia quarterback Carson Beck (+750), Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers (+1000), Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe (+1000), Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart (+1200) and Howard.
Howard, 6-foot-5 and 242 pounds led Kansas State to an upset win over TCU in the Big 12 Championship Game in 2022 and was an All-Big 12 selection in 2023. He left Kansas State and took an NIL deal reportedly worth $1 million at No. 2 Ohio State, according to On3.com.
Kansas State will start sophomore quarterback Avery Johnson, who made his first career start in the Wildcats’ 28-19 win over No. 19 North Carolina State in the Pop Tarts Bowl last season, bringing home game MVP honors.
Kansas State opens the season on Aug. 31 at home against Tennessee-Martin.