Ohio State could have its most dangerous passing game yet in 2020

With Justin Fields pulling the trigger and a bevy of talented wide-receivers, Ohio State could have its best passing attack in memory.

Three yards and a cloud of dust. Phhht. That was then, this is now. The culture of running the ball and wearing teams out under Woody Hayes was good for its time, but things have changed.

Changing with the times

Now, with electric athletes that work harder at their craft more than ever and come out of the package ready to go, it’s all about getting playmakers in the open field to make plays and create mismatch nightmares for opposing defenses. Because of that, a program like Ohio State has morphed from one that will bludgeon the opponent, to a physical brand that now spreads things out and slings the ball around more.

And we’ve seen the coaching staff and recruiting philosophies change as a result at Ohio State. After more or less having game managing QBs for years, the Buckeyes have now started to recruit, and land, top-end quarterbacks. The Buckeyes have won the Big Ten’s Griese-Brees Quarterback of the Year seven of the last eight years. There’s a better than good chance Justin Fields will take the honor home again in 2020.

But it’s not just the guys under center that have blossomed recently. With a penchant to bring in talented signal-callers, four and five-star pass-catching prospects are starting to take notice. Add that to one of the hottest young wide-receiver coaches, Brian Hartline, getting things cranked up in development and recruiting, and the talent in the receivers’ room in 2020 is going to be one of the best in the history of the program.

The potential for 2020

So, what does that all mean for the Buckeye offense this fall? Ryan Day’s offensive philosophy will never completely abandon the running game. But having a more seasoned Justin Fields under center in combination with returning talents like Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave, and perhaps the best receiving class in the country ready to plug in could result in a laser light show this year.

Imagine a world where Olave, Wilson, and last year’s No. 1 overall receiving prospect Julian Fleming all rolled out as starters. Or through Demario McCall fit into the mix. They are all running routes and catching passes from Fields who is going to have a better grasp on the offense in 2020.

Then, you back that up in the two-deep with other talented returners like Jameson Williams, and other blue-chip freshmen like Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Gee Scott, Jr., and Mookie Cooper — all top 20 receiver prospects — and there’s a lot of creativity and interchangeable parts to play with.

That’s before we even discuss a couple of tight ends that can answer the bell when called upon. Jeremy Ruckert and Luke Farrell are more than capable of separating against a linebacker in space and providing yet another option through the air. If you like shiny objects and the newest toys, you’re going to love the Ohio State offense in 2020.

Excitement abounds

Fields threw for 3,273 yards last season. That was well shy of Dwayne Haskins single-season Buckeye record of 4,831. That’ll be a tough number to reach for Fields because Ohio State lacked punch on the ground in 2018, but the passing game could actually be more effective and more dangerous this year despite not eclipsing those numbers.

There aren’t too many teams that can field a secondary capable of matching up with the three or four guys Ohio State can put on the field at one time. And if they do, Fields, Sermon, and Teague could have themselves a lot of fun on the ground behind one of the best offensive lines in the country.

So buckle up Buckeye fans. There’s going to be an awful lot of highlight-reel plays through the air this fall.

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