A source close to Justin Fields, the top-ranked dual-threat quarterback from the Class of 2018, has confirmed the Kennesaw, Ga. native will set his sights on the possible QB vacancy at Ohio State, upon officially transferring from Georgia.
That vacancy might entail sophomore quarterback Dwayne Haskins declaring for the NFL draft (deadline: Jan. 11), and forgoing his final two years of college eligibility at Ohio State.
(By most accounts, Haskins stands as the No. 1 QB prospect, among the list of draft-eligible prospects.)
Fields came to Athens with the goal of competing with quarterback Jake Fromm in his true freshman season. Fromm, a sophomore, was able to hold Fields off during the season and cement his role as the starter.
CLEMONS: Here are UGA football's top 10 plays from the calendar 2018
CLEMONS: Uga The Dog gets into Sugar Bowl scuffle with UT's Bevo
Last month, Fields’ name appeared in the NCAA’s transfer portal shortly after Georgia’s loss to Alabama in the SEC title game.
Despite the potential 'portal' distraction, Fields still practiced with the Bulldogs leading up to the Sugar Bowl, and subsequently traveled with the club to the Sugar Bowl (New Orleans.)
The freshman didn't see any playing time against Texas.
During the regular season, Fields saw time sparingly and intermittently behind Fromm as a freshman, finishing 27-of-39 passing, with four passing touchdowns and no interceptions in 12 games.
Fields also ran for 266 yards on 42 carries, with four scores on the ground.
His season-best performance came against Massachusetts: 5-of-8 passing for 121 yards with two touchdowns, and 100 yards rushing on seven carries with one score.
Tate Martell is currently next on the Buckeyes’ depth chart, if Haskins bolts for the NFL.
Martell recently sent out a cryptic tweet soon after Fields’ intentions to transfer were first reported.
Under that hypothetical, Fields would once again compete against a highly touted quarterbacking prospect for a starting slot. In many ways, it's similar to the competition with Fromm, except for swapping out one Power 5 conference (SEC) for another (Big Ten).
Fields’ eligibility status for the 2019 season has yet to be determined. The Fields family has reportedly linked up with attorney Tom Mars, who might try to obtain a waiver for the 2019 season, on Justin Fields' behalf--citing fallout from the Adam Sasser incident from October.
The indication that Fields was indeed heading out the door gained more credence following Georgia’s Early Signing Period dramatics of signing 4-star quarterback prospect Dwan Mathis, along with former Georgia walk-on Stetson Bennett IV out of junior college.
It's worth noting: Mathis was reportedly set to sign with Ohio State in December, before word of Fields' imminent transfer to Columbus went viral.