COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The fastest 40-yard dash time by a quarterback in the 2019 NFL Combine was 4.57 by Penn State’s Trace McSorley.
According to Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields, the time he posted in May would’ve beaten that convincingly if he were two years older and eligible for the draft.
“The laser (time), was a 4.42 and then the hand (time) was a 4.38,” Fields said. “I didn’t think I was going to run it that fast. My goal was to get it under 4.45 laser. I definitely achieved that so (I’m) happy about that.”
Fields came into college football as the top-ranked dual-threat quarterback in the country, so it’s no surprise that his speed and athleticism will be a vital part of his game. He showed that in small doses at Georgia. But at Ohio State, those moments have been limited in practice and the spring game as he’s tried to learn the offense and is not allowed to be hit.
As dangerous as Dwayne Haskins was last season as a passer, his willingness to run left something to be desired. He often ran to buy time as he assessed what was happening downfield.
When Fields runs, it will be to make a play on his own.
His development will be the exact opposite of what Haskins’ was. He’ll spend this year trying to improve his ability as a pocket passer, which quarterback coach Mike Yurcich said has come a long way since the first spring practice.
“(He’s improved the most) I would say anticipating throws and knowing where people are going to be,” Yurcich said. “Understanding our schemes and our system as a whole.”
J.K. Dobbins is going to get a majority of the designed runs this season, but most of the other portion will probably go to Fields. Last season the third-down read options disappeared because defenses knew Haskins was unlikely to keep the football and run. This season look for the read option’s return with an explosive player under center.
“That just brings the passing game out,” Fields said. “It will open up the receivers and also open up J.K. because (on) read options, the (defensive end) has to stay with me.”
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