Cardale Jones is interesting. He’s only a redshirt sophomore. He went from being the third string QB to start the season at Ohio State to helping the team win their last three games and the first ever College Football Playoff National Championship. The problem is Ohio State has three big dogs at quarterback who are all uniquely talented. I’ve heard of a two quarterback system, but never three. I’ve also heard that if you have two QBs then you don’t have any, but Ohio State has definitely proven that theory wrong.
Let’s assume that Braxton Miller, who is going to graduate and still have eligibility left, transfers to FSU, Duke or somewhere. That leaves J.T. Barrett and Cardale Jones fighting to be the starter. According to everyone who’s not Urban Meyer, the job is J.T. Barrett’s already….so let’s say they are right, what’s Cardale Jones going to do, STAY at Ohio State….SIT out for a year and tranfer….JUMP to the NFL?
Here are my thoughts.
1. Life is hilarious. I know of two teams, the Indiana Hoosier and the Arizona Cardinals that were forced to use their third string QBs and both those teams went into the shitter. How in the world Urban Meyer and Cardale Jones kept the Buckeyes’ ship afloat is beyond me.
2. We actually interviewed Cardale four years ago.
3. Can we agree that Cardale isn’t ready for the NFL? He’s only played three games, albeit, exceptionally well, he’s only played three games. Andrew Luck who is an anomaly in and of himself played three full college seasons and he still struggles with the league, which is why he was third in the NFL with 16 interceptions. Stuggles are going to happen to any young QB, but those early struggles can make or break you. Why bring them on too early if they aren’t needed?
4. So, he could stay at Ohio State and “compete” for the starting job. I mean everyone has all but handed it to J.T. Barrett. My question is this…If Cardale Jones is the best “pro prospect” of the three Ohio State QBs then shouldn’t he be the best college QB also? Sure, Barrett is faster, but Cardale can move too and no one wants to tackle Big 12 Gauge in the open field.
5. Originally before all this NFL talk came about, I figured Jones would just transfer. If he goes to an FCS school he can play immediately for two more years. Sure the competition will be a step down but if he dominates then he should be fine. Or he can transfer to a FBS school, sit out one year and hopefully ball out. Too many bad things could happen if he transfers to an FBS school. He could get hurt sitting out one year per NCAA transfer rules. He could be the next Jacob Coker (Coker supposedly was barely edged out by Jameis Winston for the starting FSU gig….he transferred to Bama where the job was all but his and he couldn’t beat out Blake Sims).
6. Although Jones isn’t ready the NFL, it might be his best bet. He’s going to get drafted in the third or fourth round at best if he goes. The later he’s drafted the less pressure there is on him to start. If he sits two years and learns the system, he might be more ready to play than QBs who are thrust into the starting quarterback positions too early. Also, he can learn how to be a pro. And lastly, he can get paid doing it.
If he goes to the NFL he’s playing with better competition that should make him better. Depending upon where he’s drafted there could be less pressure on him to perform immediately. Ohio State and FCS experience could be cool, but he won’t be making six to seven figures. Yeah, it’s time for 12-Gauge to pull the trigger and hit the league.
