Ohio State’s Justin Fields just made the NFL draft a little harder



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More than:

Of course Justin Fields should have slipped, because putting himself in danger like he did on Friday night will hurt you a lot in the NFL, more hurt than he was when Clemson LB James Skalski bowed his head and almost broke his ribs in half. on a rush in the second quarter with a hit that landed Skalski a questionable ejection for targeting.

There will come a time, time and time again, and over the years, when Justin Fields will remember that when you are the face of an NFL franchise, when playing for a salary, it is essential that you generally refrain from give. It’s the old college essay, stealth is the best part of valor, and you better get your competitive juices under control around bigger, faster bloodthirsty predators with bad intentions.

But that was the national college football playoff semifinals, and it was a holster pistol-versus-holster duel against the great Trevor Lawrence.

The NFL will nod and fully understand, and be remembered more about Justin Fields for the way he met the moment and looked at Lawrence and drove Ohio State to a 49-28 demolition of Clemson Sugar Bowl at the New Orleans and a national championship date with Nick Saban’s Alabama.

All Fields did (22 for 28, 385 yards) was laugh at the pain and throw six touchdown passes. Bombs away. Precision, leadership and the will to win at its best.

That doesn’t mean Justin Fields will give the Jacksonville Jaguars a break with the No.1 pick overall. No chance, no way.

This means Justin Fields may have let Jets general manager Joe Douglas take a break with second pick if he and Adam Gase’s successor decide they need a successor to Sam Darnold.

The kid really looked like someone’s Dream Fields.

That successor would be Fields or Zach Wilson of BYU.

What if Douglas and the next head coach decide to build around Darnold?

Well, the cost of the No. 2 overall pick has just gone up for a desperate quarterback team that will covet Justin Fields.

It was Justin Fields’ proving ground after a pair of mediocre performances against Indiana (3 INT) and Northwestern (2 INT) that called into question his ability to deal effectively.

It was the big and brilliant step for Justin Fields to poke fun at Clemson coach Dabo Swinney for disrespecting the Buckeyes when he elected them No.11.

Forgive Swinney and defensive coordinator Brent Venables if they had flashbacks to Joe Burrow destroying them (31 for 49 for 463 yards and 5 touchdowns, 58 yards rushing and 1 touchdown) in the 42 win. -25 at the LSU National Championship last January.

Fields had his right side pulverized by the crown of Skalski’s helmet. He was on his back on the grass of the Superdome and lay there for an agonizing minute.

It was impossible for Justin Fields to stay on the ground. Or outside.

He stepped on the sidelines. He grimaced. He missed a play. Upon his return, he immediately shot a 9-yard TD pass to WR Chris Olave. He was examined in the medical tent. He was not going out. He finished the first half 16-for-18 for 223 yards and 4 touchdowns. No one was talking about the right thumb he sprained against Northwestern.

There was a tipped interception in the end zone early in the third quarter.

And soon after, a 55-yard penny to Olave made Ohio State 42, Clemson 21.

And then: a rainbow to Jameson Williams for a 45-yard TD that made him Ohio State 49, Clemson 21.

Six TD passes.

Six incompletions.

Second career loss for Trevor Lawrence.

Second choice at stake for Justin Fields.

Fields of dreams. For someone.

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