Quarterback The candidates: Justin Fields (So.), Matthew Baldwin (RS-Fr.) Breakdown: This is inarguably the team's most important competition of the spring, and in all likelihood, it won't even be a competition. Unless something unexpected happens, Fields will line up behind center for the first offensive snap of the season on Aug. 31 against Florida Atlantic as Ohio State's starting quarterback. Fields sat behind Jake Fromm in the fall at Georgia before transferring to Ohio State in January and earning immediate eligibility on Feb. 8. It's hard to imagine he would have chosen to become a Buckeye without an understanding he'd have every opportunity to win the job, if not instantly become the favorite. Though Fields lacks much collegiate experience, he has the high-school credentials to replace record-setting Dwayne Haskins. The Kennesaw, Georgia, native was the No. 2 overall prospect in the 2018 class, just behind Clemson's Trevor Lawrence, and will be the highest-rated recruit in the online recruiting era to suit up in scarlet and gray. He's a dual threat with a 4.5-second 40-yard dash and an arm that helped him win the Elite 11 MVP award. As a freshman at Georgia, Fields played sparingly, completing 27-of-39 passes for 328 yards and four touchdowns and rushed 42 times for 266 yards and four touchdowns. It might be unfair to even label this as a competition, for Fields is the overwhelming favorite, but Day might not name a starter until after spring practice. If Fields doesn't start, Baldwin would be Ohio State's quarterback. He spent most of the past year recovering from a torn ACL and didn't play a snap as a freshman. But even though he hasn't played yet, he has a year of experience learning Day's system and was hand-picked by the new head coach as the program's quarterback in the 2018 recruiting cycle after Emory Jones decommited. Two days before Ohio State knew Fields would be eligible to play in the fall, Day was asked whether Fields and Baldwin would split reps this spring, and Day called it an "interesting discussion." The Buckeyes will likely know their starting quarterback by the end of spring practice. But even if that doesn't happen, it'll be worth keeping an eye on how quarterbacks split reps, for that could give everyone an idea of which way the coaches are leaning.
Ryan Day says the competition at QB for the #Buckeyes "will be a battle." While we were out there, Justin Fields took all the reps with the 1s and looked good. Baldwin has big arm but was overthrowing a lot of guys.— Dave Biddle (@davebiddle) March 6, 2019
Ohio State’s quarterbacks and running backs, beginning with Justin Fields and J.K. Dobbins. pic.twitter.com/Zf9tIHYwqZ— Colin Hass-Hill (@chasshill) March 6, 2019
.@ryandaytime will not just hand the QB job to @justnfields. The #Buckeyes competition began brightly on Wednesday (FREE via @_Pat_Murphy)https://t.co/muBDdoha85— Bucknuts (@Bucknuts247) March 7, 2019
Justin Fields is viewed by many as the starting quarterback for Ohio State in 2019. Head coach Ryan Day is not rushing to make that a reality. https://t.co/1G9LfKU5nz— Lantern Sports (@LanternSports) March 7, 2019
Ryan Day surprised some people by saying there is "going to be a battle" this spring between Justin Fields and Matthew Baldwin. https://t.co/VaysNsOPha pic.twitter.com/JcCdsT7tO9— Eleven Warriors (@11W) March 7, 2019
What’s he supposed to say?? “Yeah, the guy who just got here and doesn’t quite know the offense yet is going to start...”
Ohio State: Taking early stock of Buckeyes quarterback battle https://t.co/VgoGZZCbCZ— Lettermen Row (@LettermenRow) March 9, 2019
The state of the Ohio State quarterbacks: Is there really a competition? https://t.co/bOhJXTrfX6— Ari Wasserman (@AriWasserman) March 9, 2019
Leadership, failure likely to be key in ultimate Ohio State QB decision https://t.co/Y6YDkle5BL— Marcus Hartman (@marcushartman) March 9, 2019
Ohio State football | 'Chill' QBs on equal footing early in practice https://t.co/XFCas1Ki6e— BuckeyeXtra.com (@BuckeyeXtra) March 9, 2019
Ohio State is experimenting with the possibility of its quarterbacks taking some snaps under center after rarely doing so during the Urban Meyer era. https://t.co/8dYQ7Hhh2c pic.twitter.com/yol1vpkraP— Eleven Warriors (@11W) March 12, 2019
Coach Day: While Justin Fields has taken nearly all of the first-team reps at quarterback during the portions of practice that have been open to the media (including today), Ryan Day said Matthew Baldwin has been taking reps with the ones as well.
Day said they haven’t dug into the completion percentage between Justin Fields and Matthew Baldwin, but they are going to start doing that at this point. Day said there’s not separation between the two QBs right now.— Bucknuts (@Bucknuts247) April 1, 2019
Ryan Day doesn't have an update on who will take Ohio State's first snap of the 2019 season, but he said the staff is starting to evaluate the numbers. https://t.co/lg0rf4fPoM pic.twitter.com/ncEyMhsok9— Eleven Warriors (@11W) April 3, 2019
Ryan Day on Ohio State quarterbacks Justin Fields and Matthew Baldwin: "The completion percentage is pretty close right now with those guys." Said those completion percentages are about on par with where Dwayne Haskins was last spring.— Dan Hope (@Dan_Hope) April 5, 2019
Ohio State football | Ryan Day doesn't tip hand on QBs https://t.co/DadMH1h51c— BuckeyeXtra.com (@BuckeyeXtra) April 6, 2019