If we assume what we need, then Justin Fields will opt for a spring season and prepare for the NFL Draft, where he is projected to become an early first-round pick, meaning Ohio State will need a new quarterback. While fifth-year senior Gunnar Hoak will likely stay on the roster in the spring, Buckeye’s offensive focus will turn to very specific freshmen quarterbacks in CJ Stroud en Jack Miller.
Both Miller and Stroud signed up early with the hope of continuing into winter, spring and summer workouts and competing to be Fields’ backup this fall. After all that screwed up, was one of the two quarterbacks – maybe both? – could be thrown to the fire after a very early first collegiate offseason.
Stroud was a rapid rise on the recruiting track, emerging as a top talent as a senior and climbing the second-ranked pro-style quarterback, per the 247Sports Composite, by the time he signed with Ohio State. Miller is the opposite, as he started with a high rank, but dropped to the 13th-ranked pro-style quarterback after dealing with injuries. However, both were picked by hand Ryan Day, that’s a good thing.
One of those quarterbacks is the future at Ohio State. That future may just come sooner than she expected. Given that a spring season could not be much more than a handful of Big Ten games and a Rose Bowl, the Buckeyes would probably need to see what any player in the offense can do to know who is de young head in autumn. This makes it a very important spring for both Stroud and Miller.
