Ohio State Football: Next step for QB transfer Justin Fields
Yesterday afternoon, the NCAA announced that Georgia transfer Justin Fields would be granted immediate eligibility to play for Ohio State.
After announcing his intention to transfer in December, just one month later Fields declared that Ohio State would be his destination. However, he faced the uncertainty of being able to play right away for the Buckeyes. But after yesterday’s NCAA ruling Fields will now battle for the starting quarterback spot next fall.
Fields was the top ranked dual threat QB, and second-best Overall recruit, in the 2018 class. He committed to Georgia in hopes of winning the starting job from quarterback Jake Fromm.
Things didn’t work out that way and head coach Kirby Smart chose to stick with the veteran who helped lead the Bulldogs to the College Football Championship Game the year before. Even though his experience was mainly from the sideline last year, it did allow Fields to be available for action when needed while learning how to properly lead an offense.
Around the time the SEC Championship Game against Alabama was played, Fields announced he was not content to ride the bench and decided to enter into the now-popular Transfer Portal. Just under a month later he was seen at Ohio State, and shortly after that announced his intention to join the Buckeyes.
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Fields wanted to be granted immediate eligibility, citing the hardship waiver, as reports stated that racist statements were directed at Fields by a Georgia baseball player. The NCAA accepted the waiver and Fields was granted immediate eligibility.
Now he has the ability to not only practice and train with the team but also compete for the starting job. He will be competing with quarterbacks Matthew Baldwin, Daniel Vanatsky and Chris Chugunov. It is the widespread belief that Baldwin will be his only real challenge, but Fields will not be automatically given the starting job.
Between now and the Spring Game on April 13th, he will have to prove to head coach Ryan Day he is the best man for the starting QB position. Fields will have the opportunity to make his mark in winter workouts, but even more so during spring practices which begin March 4th.
The practices will culminate with the Spring Game and Fields will have a chance to show Buckeye Nation that he deserves to be the starting QB. If he wins the job during the spring, he will have the chance to lead the Buckeye offense through fall practices leading up to the opening kickoff against Florida Atlantic on August 31st.
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Justin Fields could bring much success to Ohio State, but he will first have to earn the starting job. Once he does that, he will be the engine of a high-powered offense and will have a chance to lead the Buckeyes to a trip to Indianapolis, and possibly one to either Glendale or Atlanta.