The death of Dwayne Haskins shocked the entire football world. While Haskins had a three-year NFL career, he built a legacy in one season at Ohio State. One that has paved the way for elite passers going to Columbus, according to Justin Fields.
Before Fields became the quarterback of the future for the Chicago Bears, he was tossing touchdowns in an Ohio State uniform. Fields transferred from Georgia to Ohio State in 2019 after Haskins declared for the NFL draft.
“I’m not gonna lie, [Haskins] kind of did start something,” Fields told Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer. “You can say he did. We’ll never know if I’d have gone to Ohio State if he wasn’t there, but you can give him credit for starting something. I was thinking about that the other day and I saw something online — before him, there really wasn’t an elite passer at Ohio State for years before.
“I think he started that elite passing group with, of course, him, me and now C.J. [Stroud].”
Dwayne Haskins set both Ohio State and Big Ten Conference records, throwing for 4,831 yards during the 2018 season. He also set the school and conference record with 50 touchdown passes, surpassing Drew Brees (39).
Coincidentally, Stroud — 44 touchdowns passes in 2021 — and Fields — 41 in 2019 — are now second and third in school and Big Ten history behind Haskins.
There have been solid quarterbacks before them. But to Fields’ point, the Buckeyes hadn’t seen the type of arms as Haskins and two that followed.
Before Haskins, Ohio State didn’t have a quarterback drafted in the first round in 37 years. Fields followed two years later. Stroud is expected to follow as soon as the 2023 draft.
Haskins was tragically killed Saturday morning when he was struck by a dump truck while walking on I-595 in South Florida. Haskins died at the age of 24.
