Former top recruit Justin Fields is transferring to Ohio State, but will he beat out Tate Martell for the Buckeyes’ starting quarterback job?
Former five-star quarterback Justin Fields is leaving Georgia and headed to Ohio State where he’ll compete with Tate Martell as soon as he’s eligible.
He will appeal to the NCAA for immediate eligibility. If eligible this year, he’ll compete with redshirt freshman and fellow former five-star recruit, Tate Martell, should Dwayne Haskins leave for the NFL Draft. Fields has three years of eligibility remaining.
Fields’ decision to come to Ohio State could have very well been because of Haskins. Both are close and have trained with quarterbacks coach Quincy Avery. He will also have Ryan Day as his head coach, who took over for the retired Urban Meyer the day after the Rose Bowl victory.
Day’s success developing Haskins and having him positioned to be the first quarterback picked in the draft, that’s a strong selling point. Fields could be a combination of the last two Ohio State quarterbacks, Haskins and J.T. Barrett, capable of beating teams with his arm and his feet. He has a Heisman ceiling and Day is the perfect coach to help him reach his potential.
With Haskins likely on his way out and Ohio State entering a new era under coach Day, the program needed a prospect of the caliber of Fields to fall into their laps. Fields will be on campus when the Buckeyes begin spring ball and look to beat out Martell. If Fields can be what the program expects him to, Ohio State could be back in the College Football Playoff with a Heisman contender under center again in 2019.
Fields was ESPN’s No. 1 overall recruit but served as Jake Fromm’s backup and played sparingly. completing 27/39 passes for 328 yards, four touchdowns and zero interceptions. The 6-3, 225-pound Fields has the potential to be special because of his dual-threat ability. He averaged 6.3 yards per carry, gaining 266 yards and four more scores.
His numbers compare favorably to Martell. a rising redshirt sophomore, who completed 23/28 passes for 269 yards and a touchdown. He’s a threat with his feet too, averaging 5.8 yards per carry for 128 yards and two touchdowns. Martell will have the early advantage of spending two years in the system.
As for Georgia, the official transfer of Fields added to a massive exodus of offensive skill players leaving. Receivers Mecole Hardman and Riley Ridley, tight end Isaac Nauta and running back Elijah Holyfield all announced they are leaving school early for the NFL Draft on the same day.