Ohio State QB Battle: Who Will End Up Starting?

By Justin Blum | Aug 4, 2015

The Buckeyes have a pleasant conundrum on their hands. They have two quarterbacks that are qualified to be the starter this season, but who will end up being the player that wins the Ohio State QB battle? Cardale Jones and J.T. Barrett both saw significant game time and both were wildly successful last season.

I think that Barrett should start, but understand, I’m really big on Jones. Barrett was the best quarterback I’ve ever seen play at Ohio State and that says a lot as I’ve been watching OSU football since Woody Hayes and Archie Griffin were on the sidelines. Barrett threw the ball as well as anyone last year, save for Marcus Mariota.

Mariota was the only quarterback in the nation with a higher QB rating than Barrett. Mariota also was a seasoned veteran by the time he started his 2014 campaign.

Barrett definitely struggled early on last year. In week two, the Virginia Tech defense definitely made the game very difficult for the young QB. He then looked like an experienced veteran the very next game, and never looked back. Barrett’s seemingly overnight transformation was stunning and unbelievable!

Jones looked like the best player on the field from the moment his cleats hit the turf. He absolutely dominated the competition and the competition was great, to say the least. Alabama and Oregon were definitely the two best teams in college football until the end of the season when Ohio State beat both of them convincingly. He was a better player than Alabama thought he was and they admittedly underestimated Jones and the Ohio State team as a whole.

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At the end of the regular season, Barrett broke his ankle in the Michigan game and was lost for the remainder of the season. Enter Jones. The 6’5″, 255 pound quarterback from Glenville High in Cleveland, came on in relief and held onto the lead that Barrett had built.

Jones then lead the team on an incredible postseason run through three of the best teams in college football. His performances in those three games were extraordinary and will be memories that Buckeye fans will be talking about for years to come.

Jones threw a football 75 yards during a friendly competition at Ohio State’s spring game a few months ago. Stating he has a big arm would be an understatement. His physical skills will get him drafted in the first round. If he starts the season as Ohio State’s quarterback, he’ll end up being a top five pick next year, which is why I want Barrett to get the job.

I am a die-hard Buckeyes fan but I am also a die-hard Browns fan. So here is my logic: The Browns are going to pick somewhere in the 10-20 slot. I’m afraid that if Jones starts, he’ll be so impressive that he won’t be around by the time Cleveland picks. Obviously, I think the Browns should draft Jones. If Barrett starts though, Jones might be able to slide a little in the first round, allowing Cleveland to select him.

The ultimate reason to choose a starting quarterback for your football team is that he gives his team the best chance to win. I honestly don’t think that one or the other does that. The team will be just as dominant and dangerous regardless of which quarterback actually starts. By starting Barrett, Meyer would be giving both players the best chance of getting drafted early in next year’s draft.

If Barrett has another season like last year, NFL general managers will take note and make him an early pick. He has the size (6’2″,220) and the arm strength necessary to make it at the next level. Jones will get playing time in mop up duty against teams that are over-matched and already beaten. Still, it will keep Jones active and will make him maintain his focus throughout the season.

Next: History Says Ohio State's Preseason Ranking Is A Curse

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