Who will win the starting quarterback job at Ohio State in 2019?
With sources confirming that Justin Fields will transfer to the Buckeyes after one season at Georgia, they now have a wealth of options in the quarterback room. Depending upon who stays and who goes, OSU could have two former five-star recruits and another pair of four-star recruits competing for valuable playing time.
Then again, that supposes Dwayne Haskins, who started this season, will return, something that seems highly unlikely with the NFL beckoning. But even without him, the Buckeyes have two five-stars to choose from — Fields and Tate Martell.
The quarterback battle in Columbus will be one the college football world focuses on. So let’s take a look at the QBs.
MEASUREMENTS
Fields: 6-foot-3, 225 pounds; 4.51-second 40-yard dash; 33.3-inch vertical jump; SPARQ rating 120.03.
Martell: 5-11, 205 pounds; 4.72 40-yard dash; 36.8 vertical jump; SPARQ rating 114.78.
HIGH SCHOOL STATS
Both of these guys were absolute studs in high school, each rolling up incredible stats through the air and on the ground.
WATCH: Justin Fields high school highlights
Fields: In two seasons at Harrison High School (Kennesaw, Ga.), Fields put up 4,448 passing yards with 44 touchdowns and only eight interceptions while completing 284-of-427 passes (66 percent). He also got the job done in the running game, rushing for 2,131 yards and 30 scores, averaging nearly 7 yards per carry.
Martell: A star during three seasons at Bishop Gorman High School (Las Vegas), Martell threw for 7,507 yards and 113 scores, with nine interceptions. He also rushed for 2,294 yards and 35 TDs, averaging more than 7 yards per rush. He was the Gatorade National Player of the Year, the second to play for the Buckeyes (Robert Smith).
WATCH: Tate Martell high school highlights
COLLEGE STATS
Neither Fields nor Martell has gotten his chance to shine because of talented starters: Jake Fromm at Georgia, and Dwayne Haskins at Ohio State (Martell redshirted during J.T. Barrett’s senior season).
Fields: He completed 27-of-39 pass attempts for 328 yards and four TDs in limited action with the Bulldogs. He did have one breakout game, throwing for 121 yards and two TDs while rushing for 100 yards and a score in a win over Massachusetts.
Martell: Appearing in six games last season, Martell threw for 269 yards and a score while connecting on 23-of-28 passes, and he added another 128 yards and two scores on the ground. Against Rutgers, Martell threw for 121 yards and a TD while rushing for 95 yards and another TD.
WHAT THEY SAID
Praise was glowing from all directions for Martell and Fields coming out of high school. Here are a few quotes from that time.
“[Martell] has shown big-play ability with the tools to hurt defenses with both his arm and legs. Despite his lack of ideal stature, he has proven to be resourceful as a passer, blending athleticism, mechanics and feel for the position to be productive from the pocket or to create second chances and keep plays alive. Martell has proven himself a competitive and talented player and has amassed a track record of wins that’s impressive as any in this class.” — Craig Haubert, ESPN’s national recruiting coordinator
“I don’t think there’s a doubt [Martell is] the greatest high school football player in Nevada history, based on his accomplishments and based on what he’s done; and the fact he’s played well in all the big games. Arguably, he might be one of the better high school players ever. If you match his three years on varsity to anyone else’s, and being undefeated and winning three national titles.” — Bishop Gorman coach Kenny Sanchez
“Justin is the best quarterback I’ve seen in the nine years I’ve been here.” — Yogi Roth, Elite 11 director
“[Fields is] as good of a competitor and a quarterback [as I have seen] and in the physical part. He’s much better than he was last year. Last year, he didn’t have that swagger. I think that swagger is an overused word but it is not a bad one for him. The reason why I am using it is that is the difference in Fields this year.” — John Reid, Rome (Ga.) High School football coach
First Published January 4, 2019, 8:16 p.m.
