Ohio State Football: Final report card for Buckeyes’ 2019 season
By Dante Pryor
Overall offensive grade: A
The Ohio State offense was dynamic this season. They averaged 46.9 points and 530 total yards per game. It is outlandish to think the numbers the LSU had to put up in order to best this offense. The Tigers’ season completely overshadowed one of the most prolific offensive seasons in Ohio State football history.
Justin Fields was dynamic his first year at quarterback for Ryan Day’s offense. JK Dobbins came into this season with something to prove and, boy, did he prove it with a 2,000-yard season. Fields spread the wealth among his receivers with Chris Olave leading the Buckeyes in yards and touchdowns while KJ Hill led the team in receptions.
Outstanding performers
- Justin Fields, QB: 67 percent, 3,273 passing yards, 48 touchdowns, 3 interceptions
When Dwayne Haskins decided to bolt for the NFL after just one season as the starting quarterback of the Ohio State Buckeyes, Ryan Day and the offense needed a quarterback. Enter Fields. He was dynamic this season. There were questions about him after spring ball, but the great Bill Belichick once said, “Practice is where you make your mistakes, not the game.”
Fields commanded the offense. Six receivers had 20 or more catches for the Buckeyes, so he did not lock onto one receiver. This isn’t a preview article, but Fields has to be a front-runner for the Heisman Trophy next season.
- JK Dobbins, RB: 301 carries, 2,003 yards, 21 touchdowns, 23 catches, 247 yards, 2 touchdowns
Dobbins came in this season feeling like he had something to prove. He came into spring camp in better shape and more dedicated to playing well. This was going to be his season as the Buckeyes featured back; no more splitting carries with Mike Weber.
Whatever he wanted to prove, he proved it. He was in better shape, fumbled less, and carried the load for the Ohio State run game.
- Chris Olave, WR: 48 receptions, 840 yards, 12 touchdowns
Though Justin Fields spread the wealth among the receivers, Olave was “Mr. Big Play” for the Buckeyes. He was the prime downfield target for fields this season leading the Buckeyes in touchdown receptions. He was one of the many young talented receivers recruited by Day, Brian Hartline and the offensive staff.
Quarterback: A
What’s most impressive about Fields season is that he had a 13.6-to-1 touchdown-to-interception ratio. Usually, when a quarterback throws a lot of touchdowns, he throws a few interceptions. A quarterback with a 4/5-to-1 ratio is pretty good, but what Fields did was supremely impressive. Even throwing 41 touchdowns. That’s a career for most quarterbacks.
Running back: A
We know what Dobbins brought to the table. Though we will be gone from the Buckeyes’ program next season, redshirt sophomore Master Teague has everything to be the next great Ohio State running back. He’ll get his 200 carries next season, and we know happens when Ohio State running backs get 200 carries. Ask Ezekiel Elliot and Dobbins.
Wide receiver/tight end: A
It’s not easy defending a passing attack with one dominant receiver. It’s near impossible to defend a passing game with two dominant wide receivers. When you have four, that just keeps defensive coordinators up at night. The Buckeyes had four receivers with at least 30 receptions this season.
Offensive line: A
The offensive line was the unsung heroes of the Ohio State offense. This line did not feature an Orlando Pace-caliber linemen on this unit, but they played well as a group. The line was anchored by Rutgers transfer left guard Jonah Jackson and redshirt senior Branden Bowen. They allowed 35 sacks this season, but they paved the way for both a 3,000-yard passer and 2,000-yard rusher.