There’s not too many former Ohio State players that bleed scarlet and gray more than former quarterback J.T. Barrett. He’s still an all-time favorite of many Buckeye fans, and despite an NFL career that’s yet to come to much fruition, he was about as tough and fiery as they come when he played in Columbus.
In fact, there are a handful of players that had — and still do — a special relationship with Urban Meyer, and he’s one of them.
So, when Barret speaks on all things Ohio State, most of Buckeye nation like to listen to what he has to say. In that case, we’ve got something to point to.
While being interviewed by former Georgia Quarterback Aaron Murray, now with CampusLore, Barrett was asked about the Heisman chances of current Ohio Stat quarterback Justin Fields. Barrett acknowledges that LSU quarterback Joe Burrow is the likely favorite right now, but compliments Fields and believes he’s right there to make a late push if Burrow were to falter.
“I think his ability to just throw the football on time, the things they have set up, the plays they have involved, a great group of receivers they have, said Barrett. “It’s been really great for them. Attacking defenses, whether it be his legs, or like I said throwing the football on time. So, it’s been very tough for defenses to stop him. I think you’re right with saying that I think Joe Burrow right now is the Heisman guy, but then Justin Fields if he continues doing what he’s been doing, he’ll be that next guy up.”
If you remember, Barrett himself flirted with the Heisman Trophy back in 2014 and might have won the thing if not for an injury against Michigan that took him out of the magical run towards a national championship.
For now, any kind of Heisman campaign will live and die by what happens against Penn State on Saturday for Fields. But Barrett and others still believe it’s possible. Just win and the rest will take care of itself.
