The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
QB finalizing his transfer
Fields, as expected, will land at Ohio State after weeks of speculation.
ATHENS — Georgia quarterback Justin Fields has been in communication with Ohio State throughout the exploratory transfer process, and his plan is to transfer and play for the Buckeyes.
Multiple sources told DawgNa- tion that the Bulldogs coaches have been aware of Fields’ interest to transfer to Ohio State for more than two weeks. The only holdup was Fields wanting to make sure current Buckeyes QB Dwayne Haskins is indeed headed to the NFL.
Letterman Row reporter Jeremy Birmingham was the first to break the news that Fields has made his decision final after weeks of spec- ulation that Ohio State was the most likely landing spot for Fields.
Multiple calls to the Fields’ family aimed at confirming the report were neither answered nor returned Friday.
Georgia signee Dwan Mathis flipped his commitment from the Buckeyes to UGA after the Bulldogs staff reached out three days before the early signing day Dec. 16 and alerted him that Fields was likely headed to Ohio State.
Mathis told DawgNation on Thursday night that he was inter- ested in Georgia during his visit in July 2017, but he felt Fields would ultimately land there and UGA wouldn’t be looking for a high-profile quarterback in the 2019 class.
But with Fields leaving Georgia, Mathis recognized the opportunity to attend the school he fell in love with during that summer visit, and he was receptive when Georgia offensive coaches James Coley and Jim Chaney reached out to offer him a scholarship on
signing day.
Mathis has been told he’s positioned to be the No. 2 quarterback on the roster behind starter Jake Fromm, provided he progresses as expected in spring drills. Mathis completed four online classes in addition to his classes at Oak Park (Mich.) High School so he could enroll in January.
Georgia also signed Stetson Bennett, a walk-on with the Bulldogs in 2017 who transferred to Jones Community College after that season.
The undersized Bennett (6-foot, 172 pounds) completed 145 of his 259 passes (56 percent) for 1,840 yards with 16 touchdowns and 14 interceptions.
Birmingham is reporting that Fields will visit Ohio State this weekend and is expected to enroll ahead of classes, which begin next week.
Fields, a celebrated 5-star prospect from Kennesaw, played in 13 of 15 games for the Bulldogs this season.
Fields was 27-of-39 passing for 328 yards with four touchdowns and no interceptions in his 13 appearances, and he also rushed 42 times for 266 yards and four touchdowns.
Fields said after brief playing time in the SEC Championship game Dec. 1 that he appreciated his time at Georgia.
“I feel like I could have probably went some other places, but I feel like coming here has definitely made me a better QB,” Fields said. “I feel like coming here like I didn’t want it to be handed to me like some other schools would have had. So I came here, and I’m just going to keep working.
“I’m motivated because I mean I’m a competitor. I want to be out on the field. I know there are places in my game where I need to get better at. I’m just going to keep getting better and keep improving.”
Fields informed the Georgia coaches in the practices leading to the Bulldogs’ departure for New Orleans that he intended to explore transferring.
Georgia coach Kirby Smart said he welcomed Fields to continue practicing with the team and hoped he would stay with the Bulldogs.
“He decided he wanted to play in the Sugar Bowl, and I told him ‘absolutely, we want you there,’” Smart said. “Justin is working extremely hard, he’s in the meeting rooms, he’s still rolling with our twos. I’m pleased with his work and demeanor, he has had good reps.”
Smart said he wasn’t upset with Fields’ decision to explore the transfer.
“I can’t be annoyed, the kid is doing what he thinks is best for him,” Smart said. “If he’s going to make a decision, he can’t wait until after the bowl game, because school starts (Tuesday).”
As far as changing his mind, Smart said he didn’t see any way to do that.
“I don’t think there’s anything you can do (to convince him to stay),” Smart said. “We’ve been very open and honest that we would like him to stay. He’s worked really hard. He competed his tail off throughout the year and played a team role throughout the year.”