COLUMBUS, Ohio– Ohio State technically has three Heisman candidates traveling to New York this weekend for the highest honor in college football. Justin Fields, the Buckeyes quarterback, is in that group. Just a first-year starter and a transfer, many are surprised to see how well he succeeded this season. 

Is this the year another Heisman trophy could come back to Ohio State? Many say another Ohio kid; Joe Burrow has it in the bag. But for Justin Fields with a phenomenal season, this year means he could get it next year.

“He’ll go into next year being one of the Heisman favorites,” Bill Rabinowitz the OSU football beat writer for the Columbus Dispatch, said.

“I would be surprised if a year from now we’re not talking about him at least being back in New York again,” Matt McCoy, the sports director for 610 WTVN radio said.

That’s the consensus this year from many experts on this Ohio State football team and around the country- that Joe Burrow is winning this year’s Heisman.

“The biggest problem with Justin Fields this year is Joe Burrow,” McCoy said. “Joe Burrow put up incredible numbers and went 13-0 at LSU in the SEC and dominated. But you put up Justin Fields numbers this year, the touchdowns produced and the touchdown to interception ratio in a normal year without that- he’s probably holding that trophy and putting it up here. “

But that’s not to say what an incredible season Justin Fields had. As a transfer and a first-year starter, many expected at least a few mistakes as Fields took on a new team and offense.

“There haven’t been growing pains,” Rabinowitz said. “They started off the year against Florida Atlantic, they scored four touchdowns in about six minutes I think, and it was off to the races from there.”

“40 to one touchdown to interception ratio is unbelievable,” McCoy said.

But it’s not just what Fields has done on the field. It’s also how he’s handled himself off of it.

“What he’s done as a first-year starter, not just the stats, but the fact that he’s really made no missteps off the field,” Rabinowitz said. “He hasn’t said anything stupid, his teammates like and respect him, he’s earned the respect of the coaching staff. All that stuff is really important, and he’s done that too.”

“I love how he carries himself; I really do,” McCoy said. “During a game and also when he does interviews. He’s very level headed.”

And lucky for this Ohio State team, they have Fields at least one more year, since he’s not yet eligible to declare for the NFL draft.

“He’ll be here one more year, and I think it’ll only be one more year because I think he’s off to the NFL after that,” Rabinowitz said. “He’s too talented to stay for a senior year, I think.”

And for Ohio State to have two current players and one graduate player to be nominated for the greatest college football award, it’s something many says will be used to continue to get the best college athletes through their doors.

“Trust me, Ohio State is going to use this as a recruiting tool,” Rabinowitz said. “You come here, and there are no limits to what you can do.”