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Ohio State football: Who will replace Justin Fields as Buckeyes’ starting QB?

By Alicia de Artola

Jan 11, 2021; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Justin Fields (1) warms up before playing the Alabama Crimson Tide in the 2021 CFP National Championship Game. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 11, 2021; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Justin Fields (1) warms up before playing the Alabama Crimson Tide in the 2021 CFP National Championship Game. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields is likely on his way to the NFL. Who will lead the Buckeyes in 2021 as his replacement?

Justin Fields probably played his final game for Ohio State on Monday when his Buckeyes were thoroughly bested by Alabama in the CFP National Championship Game.

The junior quarterback should be headed for the NFL, which means Ryan Day needs to turn his attention to selecting a new starter.

Fortunately, the Buckeyes have some serious talent to pick a replacement from.

Ohio State needs to decide on a Justin Fields replacement

In 2020, Ohio State signed two four-star quarterbacks in C.J. Stroud and Jack Miller. Stroud was the No. 2 pro-style quarterback in the class. Miller was No. 13.

The class of 2021 only added to the riches in the QB room with five-star quarterback Kyle McCord. The 6-foot-3 high school star from Philadelphia ranked No. 25 in the class overall with a comparison from 247Sports to Matthew Stafford.

Those are the young guns who will certainly try to win a place at the top of the depth chart, but the Buckeyes may also have a veteran option in Gunnar Hoak, who will have the option to return for another season in 2021.

Hoak, or another graduate transfer, could provide a veteran talent to lean on for one season while waiting for 2022 and Quinn Ewers.

Ewers is the No. 1 player in the class and the top-rated recruit to ever commit to the Buckeyes, including Fields himself. If Ryan Day wishes he could fast-forward a season it wouldn’t be too crazy.

Realistically, Hoak simply won’t be able to beat out Stroud, Miller and McCord. Those young guns bring too much upside to the table. One of them will have to outplay the others, through Stroud would seem like the early favorite.

Either way, Ohio State shouldn’t want for quarterback production for a long time. They’re absolutely loaded.

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