Yahoo Sports QB Justin Fields transferring from Georgia to Ohio State
Quarterback Justin Fields is finalizing his transfer from Georgia to Ohio State, sources told Yahoo Sports on Friday.
Fields confirmed the news later on Friday evening.
“I’ve decided to transfer to Ohio State University where I will continue to pursue my undergraduate degree and play football for the Buckeyes,” Fields’ statement said.
Fields, the No. 2 quarterback and No. 2 player overall according to Rivals.com in the 2018 class, could be an instant impact transfer for the Buckeyes and new head coach Ryan Day. The transfer would not be official until he attends spring semester classes, which begin Monday.
The 6-foot-3, 220-pound Fields is hoping for immediate eligibility at Ohio State. If his waiver request to the one-year transfer ineligibility rule is granted, he is expected to compete with Tate Martell for the starting job in 2019. After setting a number of school and Big Ten records, redshirt sophomore Dwayne Haskins is expected to enter the NFL draft.
Fields’ appeal for immediate eligibility is expected to center on racial slurs that were directed at him by a former Georgia baseball player, who was subsequently dismissed from the team. Fields, who was considered a professional baseball prospect in high school and a potential player in college, would feel uncomfortable joining the Georgia baseball team after that incident, sources said.
Fields played sporadically this season as the backup to Jake Fromm at Georgia. He completed 27 of 39 passes for 328 yards and four touchdowns, and also ran for 266 yards and four scores, but could not dislodge sophomore Fromm as the starter.
The only player ranked higher than Fields by Rivals in the 2018 class was Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence, who will lead the Tigers against Alabama in the College Football Playoff championship game Monday night.
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