Ohio State getting a ‘program changer’ in QB Air Noland

Fairburn (Ga.) four-star quarterback Air Noland doesn’t make bold statements. He is honest. He has high hopes for his time at Ohio State after committing to the Buckeyes on Saturday.

The No. 45 overall prospect in the On3 rankings brings a long list of physical attributes to the Ohio State quarterback room. The intangible traits are the ones that Noland feels make him a ‘program changer’ at Ohio State.

“I know that I can be a program changer someday and help a team elevate just by being a great leader,” Noland told On3 I’m going to be a program changer. I’ll come in full force with all four claws on the ground ready to compete and take my team to a national championship. That’s all it’s about. Individual accolades can be given out to anyone. That’s not what it’s about. It’s about reaching the common goal, which is that national championship. I care for others and put my team first.”

Air Noland has grown into more than a quarterback

Langston Hughes head coach Daniel Williams smiled and agreed when hearing of Noland’s comments of being a ‘program changer’. Noland joined Langston Hughes as a freshman following a 2-8 season. Noland’s freshman year, Langston Hughes went 11-2.

Noland’s sophomore year, his first year as a full-time starter Langston Hughes went 13-2 and appeared in a state championship game. Langston Hughes capped Noland’s junior with the program’s first state title.

Each year, Williams watched Noland grow leaps and bounds. Noland used to watch Langston Hughes as a middle schooler. Williams got to know the young quarterback. As his college commitment has been made and Noland is bound for Ohio State, Williams can see how different Noland has become in just a three-year period. He had an impact on the football field quickly. Off it, Noland has become a piece of the Fairburn community.

“I’m proud of him,” Williams said. “To see the growth and maturation in a student-athlete go from a snotty nose eighth grader coming over to watch us practice to a leader that the entire school and team counts on. He’s a pillar in the school and the community. Everybody knows about Air Noland. He understands that. I’m proud of how he’s handling that. He keeps his nose clean, stays out of the way and he’s moving at a different pace.”

Waiting won’t be an issue

Every year Ohio State stacks the quarterback room full of talent. CJ Stroud is working to be the top selection in this month’s NFL Draft.

There will be talent in the room when Noland gets to Columbus. Williams doesn’t feel that will impact anything. Noland had to wait his turn in high school. He split time with another quarterback for Langston Hughes.

“He was the ultimate support system for our starting quarterback at the time,” Williams said. “He’d told him what he saw. He was the younger brother that was another coach on the sideline for us. One day we were in the cafeteria, and he said ‘sometimes you have to follow before you lead’. That’s true and I think he understands that. Everyone wants to come in and be the guy right away. If it doesn’t work out it’s almost frowned upon as opposed to coming in and taking my time and saying, hey, I did it right. We can work out kinks. He’d be just fine in that situation.”

Williams has a warning for Ohio State offensive coordinator Corey Dennis.

“He’s a winner and a competitor,” Williams said. “He’s a guy that is always striving to be the best. He’ll get on his quarterback coach’s nerves because of how much film he wants to watch every day. Whoever is his quarterback coach and offensive coordinator are going to have to sit down with Prentiss Air Noland and have time for him every night. That’s who he is. That’s where his game is.”

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