Ohio State quarterback Will Leonard. Photo Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images Jan 21, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Will Howard during CFP National Championship Champions press conference at The Westin Peachtree Plaza, Savannah Ballroom. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Just days removed from winning a national championship, Ohio State quarterback Will Howard stepped into a very different spotlight, starring in a Dr Pepper commercial.

If the reviews from his own Buckeyes teammates are any indication, Howard needs to stick to playing football.

Howard posted the commercial on his Instagram account Friday. It shows him strutting around like a fashion model, wearing a Dr Pepper jacket, winking and smiling at the camera and, of course, drinking the soft drink.

 

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“You better have gotten paid a lot for this,” offensive lineman Luke Montgomery posted.

Tight end Patrick Gurd: “What in the Zoolander is this,” referencing the 2001 comedy film where Ben Stiller portrayed a fashion model.

Ohio State’s incoming five-star quarterback recruit Tavien St. Clair asked, “What did I just watch?”

Wide receiver Nolan Baudo commented, “I mean yeah, don’t even really like Dr Pepper but sign me tf up.”

A Buckeyes fan with the  X account user name “Freeeddom” collected a number of comments from Ohio State players giving Howard a hard time.

Even head coach Ryan Day’s son, RJ, got in on the action, posting, “This video sums you up as a person perfectly.”

Hey, no one ever said that doing commercials and raking in NIL money would be easy.

The commercial is just the latest tie between Dr Pepper and college football. The company’s “Fansville” commercials have been a hit with viewers, and the Dr Pepper Tuition Giveaway competition often creates a buzz, if not always for the intended reasons.

About Arthur Weinstein

Arthur spends his free time traveling around the U.S. to sporting events, state and national parks, and in search of great restaurants off the beaten path.