COLUMBUS — Redshirt sophomore quarterback Dwayne Haskins sat for two years behind other talented Buckeye quarterbacks, but his first season as the starting quarterback at Ohio State has been historic.
This season, Haskins led the Buckeyes to a 12-1 record, a Big Ten Championship, a Rose Bowl appearance, and he was named a Heisman Trophy finalist.
Haskins has not yet revealed his decision on his future as he weighs staying for another season or leaving for the NFL after next month’s game.
“Of course, the NFL talk is there, everybody hears it and it’s just a blessing to be a part of and it’s been a dream come true,” Haskins said on Wednesday. “But as far as making a decision, I haven’t made one yet. I still have a lot of time here left at Ohio State. I’m just taking it day by day and making a decision after the Bowl Game.”
Many are expecting Haskins to leave early and enter the 2019 NFL Draft as a projected first-round draft pick, but Haskins has tried to stay focused on what is right in front of him.
“I always felt like my parents did a great job of raising me in knowing that I have to be in the now, and that of course it’s great to have a future plan and know where you want to be, but it takes work to get there,” he said.
“So, just to be considered for the NFL or to be considered the top quarterback on the board, I’ve been working at this since I was 8 years old. Right now, I’m the Ohio State quarterback and that’s where I want to be, that’s what I’m going to do and that’s what I’m going to practice like. I’m not worried about being the first pick or being the first quarterback taken because that will come in due time.”
But should he make the decision to leave Ohio State and enter the draft, Haskins said it would be extremely hard to leave Ohio State.
“It’s been a dream of mine to play here for a long time,” Haskins said. “It has been a blessing to be a part of this team, be a part of this university, a part of my teammates. It will definitely be a hard decision to make, but I’m just excited to finish out the season strong.”
Although he hasn’t made a decision about his future after this season, he did make it clear that he will be playing in the Rose Bowl.
“I wouldn’t feel right if I didn’t play in it,” he said.
Playing in the Rose Bowl was never even a debate for Haskins.
His desire to play for his coaches and his teammates, and his love for the team and desire to help them win the game was all that he thought about.
“As a quarterback, you’re the leader of the team,” Haskins said. “Your guys rally around you. Why wouldn’t you want to play in a game? A game like this, there was no doubt in my mind that I was going to play in the game.”