Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields is back for his second season in Columbus, one in which he is expected to improve upon a pretty stellar 2019. When you reflect back on what he did as a first-year starter, it’s pretty amazing. To become a Heisman finalist after having just a few months to learn a new playbook and culture at Ohio State was truly amazing.
So, one would think he would have an even better 2020 with an offseason of seasoning and development. He should be one of the best — if not the best — quarterback in the entire country, perhaps destined for a trip to New York again. Maybe, he can even win a bronze statue as one of the prohibitive favorites.
ESPN agrees. The worldwide leader in sports programming published a piece breaking out different tiers (subscription may be required) of college quarterbacks heading into the new season, and had Fields in a class with just one other, Trevor Lawrence of Clemson. David Hale has both guys by themselves in Tier 1.
So what does Hale say about the two-signal callers he believes are head and shoulders above every other?
Next … The narrative on Justin Fields and Trevor Lawrence
Tier 1: Can’t-miss superstars – Justin Fields and Trevor Lawrence
What David Hale says
“When their college careers end — almost certainly after this season — there’s a good chance Fields and Lawrence will go down as the best consensus top-two QB recruits from one class in the modern era. (The Matthew Stafford–Tim Tebow combo from 2006 would place right up there, if not for Mitch Mustain’s place in between them in the rankings). It’s no surprise that we also have Clemson and Ohio State atop our team tiers for 2020. These are two transcendent quarterbacks, and while there’s ample talent around the rest of the country, it’s hard to make the case anyone else belongs in this tier with them. Just how good were they last season? From Week 9 through the playoff, Lawrence and Fields combined for 41 passing touchdowns and just two interceptions, with a 91.2 QBR and nearly 4,500 total yards in 15 games. More impressive? Eight of their 15 opponents ranked in the top 20 in ESPN’s defensive efficiency.”
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