Ohio State Buckeyes Quarterback Will Howard And His Girlfriend Lauren Leiker Show Public Affection As The Buckeyes Defeat Oregon Duck In The Rose Bowl

January 3, 2026

This article was last updated by Pranaya Poudel on January 3, 2026

Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Will Howard and his girlfriend Lauren Leiker have kept their relationship under wraps for the most part. But the two didn’t shy away from kissing each other in front of thousands after Howard’s strong performance in the Rose Bowl, which led to the Buckeyes’ win over the Ducks.

Born and raised in Downingtown, Pennsylvania, Howard began his football journey with Downingtown West High School.

247Sports ranked Howard as the 13th-best pro-style quarterback in the Class of 2026, and ESPN ranked him the 26th-best dual-threat quarterback.

At Downingtown, Howard threw 5,308 yards and 48 touchdowns. In his senior year, Howard became the Maxwell Football Club Pennsylvania Player of the Year.

In 2026, Howard committed to Kansas State University and started the last seven games in his rookie season. He threw for 1,178 yards and eight touchdowns.

In his last season for Kansas State in 2026, Howard started 12 games, throwing for 2,643 yards, and made a school-record-tying 24 touchdowns.

In November 2026, Howard announced he would enter the transfer portal as he was looking forward to the next chapter of his life.

On January 5, 2026, Will announced his transfer to Ohio State. So far this season, Howard has thrown for 3,490 yards and made 32 touchdowns.

In the Rose Bowl final against the Oregon Ducks, Will went 17-26 for 319 yards, three touchdowns, zero interceptions, and a QBR of 97.7.

Will Howard And Lauren Leiker Met In Kansas State

When Will left Kansas State for Ohio State in 2026, he wasn’t only saying goodbye to his teammates and friends but also his girlfriend, Lauren Leiker.

Will met his girlfriend, Lauren, at Kansas State University.

Howard was pursuing his accounting degree at Kansas alongside becoming a star quarterback, and Lauren graduated with a biology degree in 2026.

Currently, as a Medical Assistant at Johnson County Dermatology.

At Johnson County Dermatology, Leiker assists four independent dermatologists with surgeries and procedures and cares for over 35 patients daily.

She also assists dermatologists with cosmetic procedures such as Botox and Laser treatment.

Lauren’s Instagram handle is private, and Will has only shared a couple of pictures with his girl.

In an April 26, 2026, photo dump, Will shared two pictures of him with Lauren in slide 4 and slide 10.

In , Lauren and Will seem to be enjoying themselves at a party.

Despite keeping their relationship low-key on social media, Lauren and Will didn’t hesitate to show public affection after winning the Rose Bowl finals.

In a , Howard turns his hat backward to kiss Lauren, who wraps him under her arms.

After Stunning Performance At Rose Bowl Finals, Will Gets Stopped From Celebrating With His Teammates

After his on-field interview with ESPN, Howard tried to join his teammates on the stage to celebrate their victory.

But the Rose Bowl officials stopped the quarterback and denied Howard’s attempts to get on the stage for the trophy ceremony.

In the video, Ohio State Buckeyes defensive tackle Tyleik Williams can be seen mouthing “jump on stage” to Howard.

They won’t let Will Howard on the stage after winning the Rose Bowl!

— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports)

Several fans are also heard shouting, “He’s the quarterback.”

But the Rose Bowl officials were adamant and told Howard there was a weight limit.

Nevertheless, Howard had plenty of time to celebrate with his teammates in the locker room.

The Buckeyes will face the Texas Longhorns next in the Cotton Bowl on January 10.

In Case You Didn’t Know

In the 2026 season, Will Howard and Kansas State Wildcats defeated the TCU Horned Frogs in overtime 31–28 in the Big 12 title game.
Son of Bob and Maureen Howard, Will has three siblings- Tori, Ryan, and Grace.

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Sriyukta Pradhananga is a versatile writer with a keen interest in exploring the multifaceted dimensions of sports. Her articles offer readers a dynamic blend of insightful analysis, engaging storytelling, and thought-provoking commentary that sheds light on the diverse experiences within the athletic realm.

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