Justin Fields’ career in Ohio has officially ended.
In a move that is no surprise, Fields announced on Monday that he is entering the 2021 draft of the NFL, ending his career in Ohio after two seasons.
Next chapter. pic.twitter.com/Q4iWJop4WI
– Justin Fields (@justnfields) January 18, 2021
The twice best offensive player of the year and defender of the year should be one of the first players chosen in the first round of the draft, scheduled for April 29.
Fields leaves the state of Ohio as one of the most talented players in the school’s history, although he has only been at OSU for two years and his second season has been shortened. Finalist for the 2019 Heisman Trophy that finished seventh in the Heisman vote in 2020, Fields is among the most prolific passers in Ohio state history, as well as one of his most dynamic double threats.
He never missed a regular season game in Ohio, took the Buckeyes to two consecutive Big Ten titles and avenged his only loss in 2019 with an iconic performance in this year’s College Football Playoff semifinal at the Sugar Bowl, where he played 385 yards and six touchdowns to lead the Buckeyes to a 49-28 victory over Clemson.
In 22 career games in total, Fields completed 396 of 579 passing attempts for 5,373 yards and 63 touchdowns with just nine interceptions while also running for 867 yards and 15 touchdowns. In 2019, Fields became the first quarterback in Big Ten history, with 40 passing touchdowns and 10 rushed touchdowns in the same season; in 2020, he broke the Ohio state’s single-season record with a completion percentage of 70.2.
Fields is expected to be the second Ohio State defender selected in the first round of the NFL draft in three years, after Dwayne Haskins, who was selected with the 15th overall choice in 2019. He will almost certainly be the most selected. Ohio State since Art Schlichter was the fourth overall choice in 1982.
“Growing up, my dream was to play the game I love at the highest level one day,” Fields said in his ad. “Now, thanks to the grace and mercy of God, together with the help of all of you, I am in a position to make this dream a reality.”
With Fields gone, the quarterback depth chart is now open for the 2021 season, with redshirt freshmen CJ Stroud and Jack Miller and the real freshman Kyle McCord – none of whom gave a pass at a college game – ready to compete for job ownership.