Ohio State’s one-year starter Dwayne Haskins has appropriately generated first round buzz after a statistically dominant season garnered him Heisman and Maxwell finalist status. Doubts remain about how high he will go and whether he is truly the best QB prospect available in this draft class. For me, the answer lies in his performance on film. Here you will find a collection of his most notable throws with some added context and analysis.
Game 3 vs TCU: Pretty 30 yard touch and placement throw to the back shoulder and into the end zone. Capitalizes on defensive short side overload to find favorable 1 on 1 end zone matchup.
Game 4 vs Tulane: Magic number 50 yard in the air, on-stride TD dime. First round throw. Notice safety lined up over far hash. Haskins identifies easy sideline 1 on 1 go read, stares it down.
Game 6 vs Indiana: Another 50 yard in the air TD bomb, this time with creative accuracy to a perfect, uncoverable spot. Watch the rhythm of his footwork and throwing motion as he takes a five step rollout to the right, resets and delivers. Another example of a high first round throw.
Game 6 vs Indiana: Good attacking touch throw into end zone. Adequate but suboptimal placement. Footwork is slightly lazy as well. But the zip and touch are there to complete a red zone TD play on 3rd and 10 from the 17 in a big spot.
Game 6 vs Indiana: One of Haskins’ finer throws on film closes the door on Indiana. Great example of his downfield velocity and another precise on-rhythm throw. Ball flight and placement are perfect. Indefensible throw.
Game 7 vs Minnesota: An example of a throw Haskins completed many, many times during the season and often in critical third down situations. Haskins has the arm strength and accuracy to complete this throw with confidence and comfort. In this example, Minnesota is expecting it and two players make an early break toward the target. Haskins is still able to convert for the first down.
Game 7 vs Minnesota: Accurate, natural seam throw to put away this game, Ball placement is perfect. Throw is once again right on rhythm. Haskins makes the zone read immediately and doesn’t hesitate to make the correct throw.
Game 8 vs Purdue: A good example of where Haskins can struggle with his downfield accuracy and execution. Misses a wide open touchdown here by almost ten full yards.
Game 8 vs Purdue: A couple of plays after the missed deep shot, Haskins came back with a classic of his, the timing out to the first down marker. Throughout the season, he demonstrated the arm strength, accuracy and timing to complete this play. On this example, he makes a lightning fast and correct read facing a blitz and delivers the correct throw.
Game 8 vs Purdue: Another bad deep ball. This was severely underthrown, which was more typical for him than overthrows downfield. Haskins can struggle to really drive the ball when throwing deep. Clean pocket and on rhythm, there is no obvious culprit for why this throw was off by at least ten yards.
Game 8 vs Purdue: Desperation mode in an ugly game, but an awful turnover nonetheless. An example of his spotty/streaky accuracy. No blitz pressure, plenty of time and a wide open target just plain missed.
Game 9 vs Nebraska: Haskins continued his mid-season slump against Nebraska, missing deep throws and being uncharacteristically inaccurate. On this play, a slight hesitation plus a flat ball and incorrect placement combine for a terrible red zone turnover. Notice how rarely defensive rush pressure is ever a factor in these plays.
Game 10 vs Michigan State: Sensational play here by Haskins that also demonstrates growth. Watch him work his zone progressions, he ends up throwing to his fourth choice target on this play. He also does not force it to his favorite middle of the field in, but instead uses his eyes to create a bigger opening. The velocity and ball placement of the throw are high first round worthy.
Game 11 vs Maryland: Another underthrown deep ball, this time the WR was so open it didn’t matter. Again, it is a bit strange why the ball came out flat as his rhythm and mechanics seemed pretty much correct. Perhaps the throw itself was a tad rushed from the back of his drop as the player was already wide open.
Game 11 vs Maryland: Gets away with another underthrown deep ball, and this one is ugly. Stares down target and forces a basically crazy throw into double coverage on third down, down two TDs.
Game 11 vs Maryland: Haskins rebounds from an almost month-long slump to have a great fourth quarter and save this game for OSU. He made several big throws but this was the most impressive in terms of pro skill set. Hits this out in rhythm and with confidence for a huge 3rd and 8 conversion.
Game 12 vs Michigan: Another awkwardly bad downfield throw. No velocity and no real placement purpose to this throw. A play that will be a turnover at the next level.
Game 12 vs Michigan: Placement and touch on display here as Haskins executes a dime throw on a wheel route. This route basically cannot be thrown any better.
Game 13 vs Northwestern: A good example of Haskins’ progress over the season, as he often struggled once off schedule. Here he is able to keep a 3rd and 11 red zone play alive long enough to make a huge play early in this game. Even though he isn’t mobile, he is very athletic and pro scouts will likely see this play as a promising potential growth area.
Game 13 vs Northwestern: One of if not his best throw on film from the season. Drives a 50 yard dime into the end zone with ideal velocity and placement. Another high-first round throw.
Game 14 vs Washington: Another great example of his development over the course of the season, Haskins’ processing speed is on full display on this play. Watch him 1) immediately recognize zone (likely read pre-snap) 2) use his eyes and a pump fake to pull 1st round CB prospect Byron Murphy (#1) up the field before 3) drilling a perfectly thrown and placed ball on the money for a big completion.
Game 14 vs Washington: OSU attempts their go-to middle-of-the-field zone breaking play but Washington is well prepared for it. Notice Haskins almost pull the trigger on his middle target before quickly changing his mind, resetting, and making an accurate completion to his last progression.
Game 14 vs Washington: Another excellent touch and placement seam throw. The mechanics are pretty and the execution into a tight throwing window is ideal.