When it appeared Ohio State wouldn’t be playing football in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we started a series called Four Kings to identify the Buckeyes’ “Mount Rushmore” at every position. When the Big Ten reversed course and announced it would play after all just one week after that launched that series, we pivoted back to covering the actual season.

With a few months still to go in this offseason, however, we’re bringing Four Kings back to decide the best ever to play football at Ohio State at every position – with your help. We’re running it back with the quarterbacks to start the series, and we turn to you to submit your votes for who Ohio State’s four greatest signal-callers are. Later this week, we’ll announce the Four Kings at quarterback with a full article on the front page.

To help you out, we've listed 17 of Ohio State’s most accomplished quarterbacks with their career stats and awards. The list only includes Buckeyes who played a majority of their snaps at quarterback; for that reason, 1944 Heisman Trophy winner Les Horvath will be included in the running back voting rather than the quarterback balloting.

(Note: The career completion percentage and QB rating rankings are based on quarterbacks with a minimum of 250 pass attempts.)

Don Scott (1938-40)

The two-time All-American and All-Big Ten player was a first-round NFL draft pick by the Chicago Bears in the 1941 draft. Scott lost his life during a training flight as he prepared to fight in World War II.

Rex Kern (1968-70)

The national title-winning quarterback was an All-American, captain and All-Big Ten player with Ohio State. Kern was selected by the Baltimore Colts in the 1971 NFL draft.

Cornelius Green (1973-75)

Was named the Big Ten MVP and team MVP and was a two-time All-Big Ten honoree. Green was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the 1976 NFL draft.

Art Schlichter (1978-81)

He was a Big Ten MVP, team MVP, All-American, two-time All-Big Ten selection and one-time team captain. Schlichter was selected with the fourth overall pick by the Colts in the 1982 NFL draft.

Greg Frey (1987-90)

Was caught in the transition period between the Earle Bruce and John Cooper eras. Known for his historic comeback win against Minnesota.

Bobby Hoying (1992-95)

The All-Big Ten quarterback was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the third round of the 1997 NFL draft.

Stanley Jackson (1994-97)

Jackson was dogged during his career by Ohio State fans and their desire for Joe Germaine to be the starting quarterback, but the Buckeyes won 90 percent of the games Jackson started.

Joe Germaine (1995-98)

After splitting time with Stanley Jackson, Germaine was named the Big Ten MVP, team MVP, captain and an All-Big Ten player in his senior season. He was selected by the St. Louis Rams in the 1999 NFL draft.

Craig Krenzel (1999-03)

Krenzel was a team MVP of the 2002 national championship team and a team captain in 2003. Krenzel was selected by the Chicago Bears in the 2004 NFL draft.

Troy Smith (2002-06) 

The Heisman Trophy winner led the Buckeyes to the national championship game in 2006. He was also a team MVP, an All-American, a captain and an All-Big Ten honoree. He was selected by the Baltimore Ravens in the 2007 NFL Draft. Smith's No. 10 has been retired. 

Terrelle Pryor (2008-10)

A three-year starter for the Buckeyes, Pryor was the Big Ten Freshman of the Year in 2008 and the MVP of the Rose Bowl in 2010.

*Record and career stats include 2010 season stats vacated by the NCAA.

Braxton Miller (2011-15)

Was a two-time Big Ten MVP, captain and All-Big Ten honoree. A shoulder injury forced him to miss the 2014 season and make a switch to wide receiver. Despite the setback, Miller was selected by the Houston Texans in the 2016 NFL draft. 

Cardale Jones (2012-15)

The man who made his name during an incredible three-game run to complete the 2014 season also finished his Ohio State career with an undefeated record as the team's starting quarterback. Jones is the only starting quarterback in program history to have an unblemished career record with a minimum of 10 wins.

J.T. Barrett (2013-17)

The three-time captain was named the Big Ten's MVP twice and was an All-Big Ten player three times.

Dwayne Haskins (2016-18)

The Big Ten MVP, Ohio State’s team MVP and All-Big Ten quarterback in 2018, Haskins was a first-round selection in the 2019 NFL draft. When looking at Haskins’ career stats, remember that these numbers were accomplished in only one year as the starting quarterback.

Justin Fields (2019-20)

The transfer from Georgia made an immediate impact upon his arrival in Columbus. During his two seasons with Ohio State, Fields was named the Big Ten MVP once, team MVP twice, a team captain once and was a two-time All-Big Ten honoree. The Bears took Fields with the 11th overall pick of the 2021 NFL draft.

C.J. Stroud (2020-22)

Team MVP, captain and two-time All-Big Ten quarterback. The Texans took Stroud with the second overall pick of the 2022 NFL draft, making him the highest-ever quarterback selection from Ohio State.