The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Determined QB Fields driven by quest for national title
COLUMBUS, OHIO— Notknowingwhen or if Ohio State was going to play in 2020, Justin Fields never stopped working toward another college football season. He stayed in Columbus, embraced a vegan diet and filled his days with physical conditioning and regular sessions of video study and fieldwork under the tutelage of head coach Ryan Day.
As the Buckeyes prepare for their Oct. 24 opener against Nebraska, the 21- year- old quarterback’s determination is palpable, even in a Zoom interviews with reporters.
“I know the time’s ticking, so I’m just more anxious and anxious every day until game day comes,“Fields said Tuesday. “I know I’ve said it 10 times, but y’all don’t know how excited I am to play.”
Fields transferred from Georgia last year, lured by Day to be the successor to star Dwayne Haskins Jr. He blossomed as expected, leading Ohio State to a national semifinal game and emerging as aHeismanTrophy finalist while battling through a late- season knee injury that made it difficult to evenwalk at times. He finished third in the Heisman derby, which was a landslide for former Buckeyes quarterback Joe Burrow, who won the national title at LSU and now starts for the Cincinnati Bengals.
Fields likely will be playing in the NFL next fallwhether or not he plays another down of college football. He could have opted out of this pandemicshortened season butwanted one more shot at the Heisman and a national title with a team he’s convinced can get there.
Fields patientlywaited out the Big
Ten as the conference shelved the season for about five weeks due to coronavirus concerns before reversing course. Instead ofmoving on, he spearheaded an online petition that was signed by hundreds of thousands of people urging the Big Ten to start back up.
Fields emerged fromthe pandemic break leaner and stronger. Coaches and teammates say he’s also a more confident and demonstrative leader.
“I thinkwhenyouhave a year under your belt, yourealize the consequence of every game, every snap, the preparation that comes into every play,” Day said. “He asks the right questions going into practice if he’s not sure. He makes sure he has it right. And he’s also holding people accountable.“
Day added: “If ( the play) doesn’t work it’s usually on the quarterback, theoffensive coordinatorandthehead coach. He understands that now. So if things aren’t exactly the way he sees it, he gets with ( us). His leadership has been excellent.”
Quarterbacks coach Corey Dennis puts it this way: “He truly doesn’t want to leave a stone unturned.”
Fields put up gaudy numbers last season ( 3,273 yards, 41 touchdowns, three interceptions) in his first year working in Day’s system, for which the creative, mobile quarterback is an ideal fit. But entering Year 2 there is a deeper understanding of the scheme and the goals.
Fields is blessed with a great supporting cast. The Ohio State offensive line is stocked with potential NFL talent. Acrobatic receivers Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson will be primary targets. A highly touted quartet of freshman receivers could make an impact, too, and there is depth at running back.