Zach Wilson VS Justin Fields: A Tale of Two Prospects

I don’t know who needs to hear this, but if you like one thing, IT IS OKAY TO ALSO LIKE ANOTHER. I swear, I could write this whole blog in CAPS because the stuff I’m reading about two stud Quarterbacks is driving me up a wall. Yes, there are pros and cons to every college QB prospect, but that is what makes them PROSPECTS. If they were finished products then there would never be any discussions and life would be boring, (and the Jets might be good).

A ‘PROSPECT’ is someone that has potential, a lot of good, and fixable bad. Sometimes you put the wrong people in charge and the bad doesn’t get fixed. Then you have your entire franchise and fanbase set on someone, it doesn’t work out, and everyone is in uproar. But we aren’t here to do that, we are here to talk about two VERY good quarterback prospects.

As a Jets fan, for once in my miserable fan hood, it seems like the Jets are holding one of the best hands. Everyone knows Trevor Lawrence is going first overall to the Jaguars. Urban Meyer hinted at that with his, “yeah we are leaning that way” line. But the Jets sit at two, with some damn good options. Let’s start with Justin Fields.

THE OBVIOUS GOOD.

Justin Fields was a top recruit along side of Trevor Lawrence in the 2018 class. After spending one year at Georgia, he transferred to Ohio State where he DID NOT disappoint. As a sophomore in 2019 in 14 games, Fields threw for 3,273 yards, 41 Touchdowns, and 3 Interceptions. He also ran for 483 yards and 10 touchdowns. He is NOT a run first quarterback. Then, in just 8 games in 2020, he chucked 2,100 yards, 22 Touchdowns, and 6 interceptions. All of this in a VERY competitive Big 10 (or B1G) conference.

Aside from stats, it’s no secret that Fields has special arm talent. His arm strength and accuracy is, believe it or not, as good as anyone in the class. He displayed this talent in the Sugar Bowl against Clemson and early on against Indiana this year. Fields posted one of the highest deep ball percentages in college football (upwards of 60%). Also, I’m not one to overreact to pro days, but Justin’s arm talent was on FULL display.

The… Bad?

I have a serious issue with some of the things said about Justin Fields as an NFL prospect. The first thing is that Fields has trouble going through his progressions. It has been believed that Fields locks in on his first option and throws that way. This is false, there are tons of examples of Fields going through his progressions, seeing multiple options, and hitting that third or fourth receiver. Recently on ESPN’s GetUp everyone’s favorite, Dan Orlovsky did a great job showing this. Yes, Ohio State is one of the best teams in the country, and one of the most well coached, so it’s not Fields fault that his first receiver gets open most of the time. But when he needs to, he CAN see the field, go through his reads, and make the right throws.

Then we see questions about his work ethic and love for the game. This argument is a joke. Justin Fields and Trevor Lawrence were at the front of the line driving the NCAA to get the 2020 season approved. It was difficult dealing with COVID-19 protocols and limitations, but they were able to push the season. Fields, as earlier stated was a top high school recruit, began his career at Georgia. He then transferred to Ohio State where he DOMINATED the B1G and college football two years in a row.

And last but not least, do not give me the “Ohio State Quarterbacks always stink.” This argument has been blown so out of proportion. Are we just going to say that QBs from every school, every conference, or example X, Y, Z is why this player won’t be good? Every prospect is different, every player is good in their own ways, certain people are just going to have to deal with it. Tom Brady - Michigan, Patrick Mahomes - Texas Tech, Aaron Rodgers - California, when have those schools had good QBs? Enough!

Now we shift to the obvious good with BYU’s Zach Wilson.

the 2020-21 NCAA Football Season was absolutely electric for Zach Wilson. This past season, Wilson threw for 3,692 yards, 33 Touchdowns, and 3 Interceptions. In 12 games that’s averaging just over 300 yards per game. He displayed an ability to make both the smart throws, and the “wow” throws.

Since the beginning of this season, Wilson has also displayed some unbelievable arm talent. He’s made all types of difficult throws look very easy. He has also displayed his ability to escape pressure and make important throws both outside the pocket and on the run. This season, Wilson showed everything you would want to see in an NFL prospect.

The negative things about Zach Wilson start with the school he played for. Once again, this argument arises. Yes BYU is independent and played against Mount West Conference teams but that doesn’t take away Wilson’s play. Also, yeah, they lost to Coastal Carolina. Did you know that Coastal Carolina finished as a top-20 team last season? Did you know that the BYU-Coastal Carolina game was flexed a few days beforehand? So neither team had much prep for this game. Did you also know that this game came down to a final drive that ended a yard short of the end zone? You heard that right, just like Mike Winchell in Friday Night Lights. One more thing, his only interception was a Hail Mary before halftime. Another razor thin argument, wild game, here’s the highlights.

So enough is enough. Both Justin Fields and Zach Wilson are top Quarterback Prospects. In my opinion, if they are not the second and third pick in the NFL Draft on April 29th, there’s a big problem. The top 3 Quarterbacks in this draft are Trevor Lawrence, Zach Wilson, and Justin Fields. Those are the top 3, no one else. We live in a world where you need to chose one or the other. Well, when two players are really good, maybe you don’t have to pick a side. Enough with the dumb arguments, these two players are legit.

PS… Yes as a Jets fan I lean Wilson, but that does not mean I’d be upset if they drafted Fields. I think Fields would potentially be great in New York. I’m also an Ohio State fan. However, it seems as if the Jets are taking Wilson, so as a fan, you ride the decisions the team makes.