COLUMBUS — There’s no looking back for Justin Fields.
The former Georgia quarterback who transferred to Ohio State in January isn’t interested in discussing the reasons why he fled one powerhouse for another. Instead, Fields is happy to talk about Ryan Day, the NFL, and his new-found distaste of all things Michigan.
In his first comments since arriving at OSU, Fields sat calmly for 30 minutes on Wednesday behind a table on the indoor field in the Woody Hayes Athletic Center as a horde of reporters gathered around him offering questions in rapid-fire succession.
“It was more of a business decision,” he said. “Coach Day, he’s been in the NFL. He knows what it takes to get quarterbacks to the NFL. Just the offensive mind he has, he’s a smart guy. So that’s why [I came to Ohio State].
“I was just worried about the best place to develop me for the next level. That's the main thing I was looking for.”
VIDEO: Justin Fields
The sales pitch wasn’t a sales pitch at all. There was no dramatic sitdown in Fields’ Kennesaw, Ga., home or an impassioned speech by Ohio State’s coaches. All Fields needed to do was watch the Buckeyes’ 2018 season and glance at Dwayne Haskins’ stats. If you’re a quarterback, it doesn’t get much better than playing for Day.
Justin Fields on Michigan: pic.twitter.com/ucRslLFPs8
— Kyle Rowland (@KyleRowland) February 6, 2019
The 6-foot-3, 225-pound Fields, a former five-star recruit, doesn’t count as a member of OSU’s 2019 recruiting class. But the symbolism Wednesday was appropriate, with Fields sharing space with the team’s early enrollees, because he’s undoubtedly the most consequential transaction of the off-season.
“When he became available, we investigated it, and we felt like it was a great fit,” Day said. “We don’t apologize for developing guys. To see Dwayne’s development the last two years is pretty remarkable. I think that’s one of the selling points that we have.”
During the past year, Haskins and Tate Martell commented on the complexities of Ohio State’s offense and how difficult it is to master in a short period of time. They said perfecting the system in one year was an impossibility, none more emphatically than Martell whose Rose Bowl soliloquy verged on a rant.
Fields moved into his dorm Jan. 5, familiarized himself with campus Jan. 6, and began classes Jan. 7. During the kinetic period, he acquainted himself with the playbook, an activity that hasn’t decelerated. Offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich and quality control coach Corey Dennis have been integral in speeding up the learning process.
“It takes a lot of time,” Yurcich said. “You can’t just jump into a situation and pretend that you know everything about everybody. It takes a lot of time and investment.
“I’m learning the offense right with him. It’s an open dialogue. I probably ask more questions than they ask. I’m not afraid to ask some stupid questions.”
Replicating Haskins’ numbers, or even going beyond, especially as a runner, is Fields’ ultimate goal. He’s an efficient passer who possesses tremendous speed and quickness. Fields is a former Elite 11 MVP, besting Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence for the top honor.
While backing up Jake Fromm last season, Fields completed 27 of 39 pass attempts for 328 yards, four touchdowns, and zero interceptions. He rushed for 266 yards and four touchdowns on 42 carries, an average of 6.3 yards per carry.
“I see myself using my legs a little bit more than Dwayne did last year,” Fields said. “But I’m really just here to do what coach Day asks me to do and whatever is best for the team.”
Fields is awaiting the NCAA’s decision regarding his transfer waiver, which could give him immediate eligibility. He’s expected to receive good news — and soon — but if Ohio State is forced to go into 2019 without Fields, there’s a sense of the great unknown. Redshirt freshman Matthew Baldwin would be the front-runner at quarterback, presenting the Buckeyes with a possible conundrum at the most important position.
“Once we get the ruling,” Day said, “we’ll decide from there.”
In the meantime, Fields said there’s no anxiety about the waiting game. He’s worried about what he can control: being a good teammate and blossoming in winter workouts. Fields was shown prominently in a video on the football team’s official Twitter account, seeming to indicate that OSU is making him the face of the program.
“That was pretty cool,” Fields said. “I was glad to be in it.”
Perhaps the most pressing matter addressed since he enrolled at Ohio State and walked through the entrance of the WHAC was his viewpoint of Michigan. On Wednesday, Fields sounded a tune that will endear him to everyone in Ohio.
“I definitely knew it was a big rivalry, but coming here and actually seeing all the Ms crossed out, it’s definitely way bigger than I thought it would be,” Fields said. “Just know there’s a lot of hate for That Team Up North.”
First Published February 7, 2019, 12:53 a.m.
