Is Dwayne Haskins ready to make the move to the NFL?

“But you’ll also notice that I’m not yet sold on the idea that Dwayne Haskins is the clear cut QB2 behind [Justin] Herbert. This QB class is often presented as such: It’s Herbert (if he declares), then Haskins (if he declares), then a smattering of uninspiring senior quarterbacks.”

-Benjamin Solak, The Draft Network

I have a confession to make, after the first game of the season, I was all ready to write an article proclaiming Dwayne Haskins to be the best passing quarterback in Ohio State history. I fought against my worst, prisoner of the moment instincts, and didn’t write the article — although I think that the season would have backed me up. I’ve also said throughout the season in articles and on podcasts that I think that Haskins will be gone from Columbus after this season, and will be an early first-round NFL Draft pick.

I think that is probably still true, but while he has put up incredible passing numbers this season, and very well could break OSU’s single-season passing record in the first quarter against Michigan State, I think the totality of the Ohio State offensive struggles have shown that Haskins isn’t completely ready for the jump to the NFL.

As Solak points out in his article, there is a ton of things that Haskins does exceptionally well, but he’s certainly not ready to move to the league and be a competent starter from Day 1.

While I still would go to the NFL if I were Haskins — the money and the risk of injury in staying are just too high for a potential first-round quarterback — I think that it has become evident that he has things that need to be addressed before he’s ready to lead a championship college football team, let alone an NFL squad.

Solak illustrates — with (painful) videos from the Purdue game — Haskins’ deficiencies with down-field touch throws and how poor mechanics are robbing him from power on certain passes. However, Buckeye fans have certainly noticed over the past month that Haskins has also had trouble when facing pressure... any pressure.

Obviously all QBs would prefer a completely pristine pocket to throw from, but Haskins tends to get especially jumpy even when pressure is not particularly heavy. He throws off of his back foot long before rushers get to him; he throws the ball away quickly, when stepping up could prolong the play; and he abbreviates his motion when he fears contact is approaching, even if it isn’t imminent.

My normal philosophy when it comes to players leaving college for the pros is to quote Steve Miller; “take the money and run,” and I think that’s always a solid personal and business decision. However, in Haskins’ case, I could see the risks associated with coming back for another year in Columbus being worth it, if he’s able to address these issues... I also wouldn’t hate it from a fan’s perspective either.

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I have no idea if Urban Meyer is going to return to the Ohio State sideline for 2019; while I think that it’s foolhardy to attempt to interpret his sideline body language in an effort to foresee his employment future, it does seem that every day seems seems to up the chances of Meyer not being the coach of Ohio State next year.

But come on BetOnline.AG. If you’re gonna put out odds and ask me to take them seriously, you can’t include Bill Belichick, let alone Jim Harbaugh. Jim Harbaugh? John Harbaugh, maybe (that would actually kinda be fun), but giving Jim Harbaugh 40/1 odds to become Ohio State’s head coach is absurd. And it’s insulting to Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence who is currently 40/1 to win the Heisman.

Now, I (mostly jokingly, but completely frustratedly) put out a call for the next OSU head coach on Twitter during the Purdue game, and apparently he’s got the best non-Meyer odds, so maybe there’s something to it. But, if I was actually going to bet money on this (which I definitely would not), I can’t imagine betting on anyone other than Ryan Day.

For all of the reasons that the administration selected him to be the interim head coach during Meyer’s suspension, Day makes the most sense to take over should Urban depart willingly, or otherwise. He’s young, he’s a great recruiter, he has the reputation of being an offensive genius, and the Buckeyes looked their best while he was on the sideline (the lesser competition notwithstanding.

Despite the safe pick of Day, I do love me some Dino Babers, and would not be opposed to him making dropping some legendary post-game speeches at The ‘Shoe.

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Senior Makayla Waterman is one of the few returners to coach Kevin McGuff’s Ohio State women’s basketball team for this coming season. With five players graduating last year, he welcomes in five graduate transfers and three freshmen. No one expects the Buckeyes to win the Big Ten again now that Kelsey Mitchell, Stephanie Mavunga, Linnae Harper, and company are gone. But, if McGuff is going to have a bridge year with all of the grad transfers, he will likely need to rely on Waterman to provide the team with some continuity and leadership.

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“There’s a framed photo on the wall of Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith’s office of Smith, university president Michael Drake and trustee Alex Shumate. They’re standing on the field at Ohio Stadium, arms around each other and smiling at a Buckeye football game.”

-Bill Landis, The Athletic

The Athletic is obviously a subscription service, so I am not going to give out anything from this article for free, out of respect for what they are trying to do. That first paragraph is the tease in front of the paywall, so I don’t think I’m violating any journalistic creed by sharing it.

However, I would highly recommend checking out Landis’ article about his interview with Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith, in which he asks him the question all Buckeye fans want to know: is there tension between him and Urban Meyer.

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OSU Non-Revenue Roundup:

Women’s Soccer

The Ohio State women’s soccer team has earned the No. 3 seed in the Big Ten Tournament and will host No. 6 seed Nebraska in a Big Ten quarterfinal match at 2 p.m. Sunday at Bert L. & Iris S. Wolstein Field at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium. Admission is free for the match, which will be televised live on BTN.

Field Hockey

After finishing the regular season on Sunday, the Ohio State field hockey team will play Rutgers in the quarterfinals of the 2018 Big Ten Field Hockey Tournament. Ohio State will host Rutgers on Sunday, Oct. 28 (1 p.m.) at Buckeye Varsity Field.

Men’s Golf

Ohio State senior Will Grimmer has been named the Co-Big Ten Men’s Golfer of the Week after leading the Buckeyes to an 18 stroke victory as a team, and an 11 stroke victory individually at the Musketeer Classic.

Women’s Hockey

For the second consecutive week Andrea Braendli earned conference honors. The Ohio State University women’s ice hockey goaltender earned the Western Collegiate Hockey Association Goaltender of the Week award, Powered by GoodWood Hockey, conference officials announced on Tuesday.

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