With His Transfer, Justin Fields Becomes the Highest-Rated Ohio State Player Ever

By Kevin Harrish on January 4, 2019 at 12:20 pm
Justin Fields is Ohio State's highest-rated quarterback.
© Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports
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Justin Fields is now the highest-rated player in the history of Ohio State football.

Fields was the No. 2 player in the entire 2018 class according to the 247 Composite Rankings, behind Trevor Lawrence of Clemson, but also tied as the No. 8 player of all-time with a 0.9998 rating, according to the 247 Composite all-time recruiting rankings.

The Buckeyes have never signed a player as highly-rated as Fields was coming out of high school, but they did sign one that comes close, and even plays the same position: Terrelle Pryor.

The No. 2 player in the 2008 class according to the 247 Composite Rankings, Pryor was the highest-rated player in program history until the Fields transfer. With a 0.9997 rating, Pryor is tied as the No. 12 player all-time.

The two are comparable according to every recruiting service, with Fields getting the slight edge. Rivals gave both of them a 6.1 Rivals rating and ESPN gave Fields a grade of 94 compared to Pryor's 93.

When comparing ratings that high – especially when it comes down to a 0.0001 difference in the composite ratings – it's splitting hairs. But the point is, Fields is extremely talented, and Ohio State has not signed a player rated as high in 10 years.

And when you look at the tape, you see why. Fields is an electric, dual-threat player at the quarterback position who can beat you with his legs and athleticism as well as his arm.

Fields ran a laser-timed 4.51 40-yard dash coming out of high school, and was the 2017 Elite 11 MVP, topping all other high school quarterbacks in the class in a competition primarily based on throwing.

His talent is undeniable. Now, it's just a matter of when he will be eligible to play.

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