When former number one recruit in the country, Justin Fields, decided to leave Georgia for Ohio State, it was a foregone conclusion he would be named the starter.
But new head coach Ryan Day claimed that Fields had not locked up the job until late August. How serious was that?
Justin Fields Background
According to 247 Sports, Fields is tied for the eighth-best recruit of all-time. This would surpass Terrelle Pryor as the best recruit in Ohio State history. With Dwayne Haskins leaving for the draft and Tate Martell bolting for Miami, Fields had the clear path to be named the starter.
Fields left Georiga after realizing he would be stuck behind Jake Fromm. Fields has a big arm, and the mobility that Ohio State looks for in their QBs. He is like J.T. Barrett , but with a much better arm. This will allow Ohio State to bring back that RPO offense that fell off last year with Haskins at the helm.
Another domino fell when Matthew Baldwin realized after the spring game he wouldn’t beat out Fields for the job. He left Ohio State and landed at TCU to compete for their starting job.
Then, almost out of nowhere, reports surfaced that former Kentucky QB Gunnar Hoak, was making a serious run at the starting job.
Gunnar Hoak Background
Hoak decided to leave a crowded Kentucky QB room for his hometown of Columbus (technically Dublin, OH) to compete for the Buckeyes job. He saw limited time with Kentucky, only racking up 167 yards and two touchdowns.
The scouting reports on Hoak say that he has an impressive, pro-style arm. He has very good accuracy and pocket presence. The problem comes with his athleticism. He is not very mobile and will throw with his arm instead of his body.
How Serious Was the Competition?
Coach Day named Fields the starter on August 19th. But he also said that this doesn’t mean Hoak can’t take the job back during the non-conference season.
During media days, Day continuously said that Fields must win the job, and that there were no guarantees.
I believe that Day really just wanted to send a message to Fields. Your spot is not guaranteed, you have to earn it.
It’s also pretty simple. Fields is better than Hoak. There was no doubt that Fields would win the job. But Day gave the stereotypical coach answer: “A player has to earn it.”
Based on the playing time they had with their previous schools, and the play during the spring, it was obvious that Fields was the better player.
Now, Hoak may see some time during the out of conference schedule, but Fields is the Buckeyes best shot of making a playoff run.