We are starting a new series here at Buckeyes Wire. We are ranking the top Ohio State players at each position over the past 10 years. This includes the 2013 season, but no one who ended their Ohio State career earlier than that.
Up first: quarterbacks. It was a difficult ranking to make because the Buckeyes have been blessed with many star quarterbacks in recent memory. In fact, the top five quarterbacks on this list were in the top five in Heisman voting at least once in their career at Ohio State.
A case for any of these quarterbacks to be higher on the list can be made because everybody has different criteria. My criteria was to take into account what they accomplished with the team but focus primarily on the skills they brought to the table.
Now, let’s get to the list.
Honorable Mention - Cardale Jones
Why the Mention
Years Played | 2013-2015
With so many star quarterbacks to come through Ohio State in recent memory, Cardale Jones doesn’t crack the top five, but he deserves a shoutout as an honorable mention.
After an injury to J.T. Barrett against Michigan in 2014, many wrote off the Buckeyes. Jones had other ideas. He stepped in and led the offense in what was the best three-game stretch in program history, culminating in a national championship.
No. 5 - Braxton Miller
Why it Makes Sense
Years Played | 2011-2015
Braxton Miller was undoubtedly a superstar for Ohio State and favorite player of many who grew up watching him lead the Buckeyes.
He emerged as the starter in 2011 as a true freshman and brought excitement to what was a forgettable season. He proceeded to lose just two games over the next two seasons, earning the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year in both 2012 and 2013.
Miller was electric as a runner. He amassed 3,315 yards and 33 touchdowns on the ground over his career. He also deserves credit for being a leader and good teammate throughout his career, which he demonstrated when he switched to wide receiver in 2015 and provided many highlight plays.
No. 4 - J.T. Barrett
Why it Makes Sense
Years Played | 2014-2017
If this were a ranking purely just based on which quarterback had the most successful career at Ohio State, Barrett would have a strong case for the top spot.
He stepped in to lead the offense in the 2014 national championship campaign after Miller’s injury and was even a Heisman candidate before his season-ending injury in the Michigan game.
Barrett never lost to That School Up North in his career, going 4-0 as the starter in “The Game.” He led the Buckeyes to a College Football Playoff berth as the starter in 2016. The next season was his best statistically; he threw for 35 touchdowns and ran for 12 touchdowns. He led a memorable come-from victory over Penn State, won the Big Ten title and had a Cotton Bowl victory in 2017.
Ultimately Barrett’s skills aren’t quite equal to what the top three on this list provide, but his full body of work at Ohio State is very strong and he deserves to be remembered for what he accomplished with the team.
No. 3 - Dwayne Haskins
Why it Makes Sense
Years Played | 2017-2018
Dwayne Haskins started just one season for Ohio State in his career, but his remarkable performance that season and his skills as a passer land him at No. 3.
Haskins stepped in during the Michigan game in 2017 when J.T. Barrett left with a knee injury and made some big throws to seal that victory.
In 2018, he was a Heisman finalist leading a prolific passing attack throwing for 4,831 yards and 50 touchdowns, while adding four touchdowns on the ground. His 54 total touchdowns is an all-time single-season record at Ohio State.
Ultimately, the Buckeyes’ defense was too inconsistent to make the playoff that season. However, they still finished 13-1 with a Rose Bowl victory and Haskins produced many memorable performances including six touchdowns in a 62-39 victory over Michigan.
No. 2 - C.J. Stroud
Why it Makes Sense
Years Played | 2020-2022
C.J. Stroud was nothing short of remarkable in his two seasons starting at Ohio State. His accuracy and touch are elite and the biggest reason he was one of the best quarterbacks in the country leading a prolific offensive attack.
Stroud’s 2021 season started off rough, but after a few games, he got the hang of operating the offense and did it at a high level. He threw for 4,435 yards, 44 touchdowns, and six interceptions earning the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year award and was a finalist for the Heisman.
He was one of the best quarterbacks in college football once again in 2022. Stroud threw for 3,688 yards, 41 touchdowns and six interceptions. He once again earned the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year award and headed to New York as a Heisman finalist.
Stroud draws heavy criticism because the Buckeyes lost to Michigan in both of his years starting. However, he played well in both games. Ultimately, it’s important to remember football is a team sport, and Stroud should be remembered for being the elite quarterback he was and not for the failures the team had, most notably the defense.
No. 1 - Justin Fields
Why it Makes Sense
Years Played | 2019-2020
Claiming the top spot on this list of best Ohio State quarterbacks in the last 10 years is Justin Fields. His skill set as a passer and runner is about as good as it gets in college football.
After transferring from Georgia, the expectations for Fields were sky-high. He was a very highly rated recruit and quickly proved he was worthy of that rating.
Fields operated the offense flawlessly in 2019, passing for 3,273 yards, 41 touchdowns, and just three interceptions. He added 484 yards and 10 touchdowns on the ground. He led the team to a Big Ten title, a playoff berth and earned Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year, and was a Heisman finalist.
Fields’ senior season in 2020 was a strange one due to COVID-19 pushing back the start of the season and limiting the Buckeyes to five regular season games, three more in the postseason. Fields had a legendary six-touchdown performance against Clemson in the playoff semifinal while battling through a rib injury after a brutal hit. That performance is what a lot of Ohio State fans will remember him for — and deservedly so.
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