Justin Fields’ career in the state of Ohio is officially over.
In a move that comes as no surprise, Fields announced Monday that he is entering the 2021 NFL draft and ending his career in the state of Ohio after two seasons.
Next chapter. pic.twitter.com/Q4iWJop4WI
– Justin Fields (@justnfields) 18 January 2021
The two-time Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year and Quarterback of the Year is expected to be one of the first players selected in the first round of the draft, scheduled for April 29.
Fields leaves Ohio State as one of the most capable players in school history, even though he was only at OSU for two years and his second season was shortened. A Heisman Trophy finalist in 2019 who finished seventh in the Heisman poll in 2020, Fields is among the most productive passers-by in Ohio State history, as well as one of his most dynamic double threats.
He never lost a regular season at Ohio State, leading the Buckeyes to the top ten titles and avenging his only loss in 2019 with an iconic performance in the semifinals of the College Football Playoff of the Year at the Sugar Bowl, where he threw. for 385 yards and six touchdowns to lead the Buckeyes to a 49-28 victory over Clemson.
In 22 overall career matches, Fields completed 396 of 579 pass attempts for 5,373 yards and 63 touchdowns, with just nine distinctions, 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 rushing touchdowns in the same season; in 2020, he breaks the Ohio season’s singles record with a percentage of 70.2.
Fields is expected to be Ohio State’s second quarterback in the first round of the NFL draft in three years, after Dwayne Haskins, who finished in 2019 with the overall no. 15 have been selected. Ohio fullback since Art Schlichter was the overall pick in 1982.
“When I was growing up, I was about to one day play the game I love at the highest level,” Fields said in his announcement. “Thanks to the grace and mercy of God, I am able to turn that dream into reality.”
With the departure of Fields, the quarterback’s depth map is still wide open for the 2021 season, with CJ Stroud and Jack Miller and true freshmen Kyle McCord, none of whom threw a pass in a collegiate game – on the scoring to compete for the first time. work.