Today’s Topic: Does Justin Fields Have a Stronger Arm Than Dwayne Haskins?
As evidenced by his first-round draft status a couple of weeks ago, former Ohio State quarterback Dwayne Haskins has an “NFL arm.”
In fact, he may have the strongest arm in Buckeye history, though Cardale Jones would have something to say about that.
But maybe those two now have a challenger.
This past winter, Justin Fields arrived, and with him came some impressive arm strength.
In fact, compared to quarterbacks Chris Chugunov and Matthew Baldwin in the spring, the Buckeye receivers had to be aware of when it was Fields throwing them the ball.
“It’s different. It’s not an excuse or a reason for anything,” receivers coach Brian Hartline said. “Justin Fields’ ball is a little hotter than Matt’s, but Matt throws a good ball too. Different spin to it, different velocity. So I think naturally as receivers you kind of know who you got and be alert for a hot ball, but in the end, they all throw it really well.”
The difference between Fields’ velocity and his competitors was similar to Haskins last year competing with Baldwin and Tate Martell.
While the accuracy between Haskins and Fields still has plenty of green space separating them, Hartline saw some similarity in arm strength between the two quarterbacks.
“Yeah, it’s hot. No doubt. He’s got a quick ball too,” he said. “Again, [Haskins] was different than Tate last year and different than Matt. So it’s always different. That’s it.”
With so many repetitions in practice and players swapping in and out like the world’s most physical game of musical chairs, receivers get used to seeing footballs from different quarterbacks. They adjust on the fly and try to make the plays that are available to be made.
This also allows them to judge quarterbacks against each other.
“It’s not really an adjustment, but I’d say Justin has a stronger arm, a stronger arm than Dwayne,” said senior H-back KJ Hill. “I feel like that’s the only adjustment is catching that hot ball.”
Fields has a stronger arm than Haskins?
“Yeah, he does,” Hill said. “Bullet. It’s coming faster.”
Velocity is nice, and every quarterback would like to have more, but it’s about fourth or fifth on the list of quarterback traits that Ohio State is looking for.
If the Buckeyes can get the leadership, toughness, command of the offense, and accuracy that they’d like as well, then things might turn out just fine for the Ohio State offense this year.