Scarlet Sunrise: Justin Fields eyeing Chicago Bears single-season record in 2023
Good morning, Ohio State fans, and welcome to the Scarlet Sunrise. Football will always be our focus, but every day we’ll cover news, notes and analysis from across Buckeyes sports. Join us each morning to get caught up on everything you missed in the world of Buckeyes football, recruiting, basketball and more in Scarlet Sunrise.
Justin Fields eyeing Chicago Bears single-season record in 2023
Former Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields had a record-breaking 2022. Last year, the Chicago Bears star became the the third signal caller in league history to rush for 1,000 yards.
But, this time around, Fields wants to break a record through the air.
Fields was asked on the All Things Covered podcast this week if he will be the first Bears quarterback reach the 4,000-yard passing mark.
“I will,” Fields said. “I plan on doing it this year, too. I plan on doing it this year.”
At the moment, Erik Kramer is the Bears’ all-time record holder for single-season passing yards (3,838). He set that mark in 1995. Jay Cutler eclipsed 3,000 yards through the air five times but never hit 4,000.
Fields, who dealt with a shaky offensive line and limited receiving options last year — his second in the NFL — threw for just 2,242 yards in 15 games. That was good for only 26th in the league.
He’s aiming much higher than that in 2023, and he showcased with the Buckeyes that he’s capable of doing that.
Fields, who was the No. 11 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, started two seasons under center for the Buckeyes, guiding Ohio State to back-to-back College Football Playoff appearances. During the COVID-19-shortened season in 2020, he piloted the program to the national title game, but the Buckeyes lost to Alabama. Still, Fields posted a 20-2 record as Ohio State’s signal caller. Last year, he became just the third NFL quarterback to rush for 1,000 yards in a season.
Five Ohio State commits that should be talked about more
Ohio State has the No. 2 recruiting class in the country this cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking. The Buckeyes currently have 18 commits, headlined by a trio of five-star prospects — wide receivers Jeremiah Smith and Mylan Graham as well as defensive tackle Justin Scott — and four-star quarterback Air Noland, an Elite 11 finalist.
But there are a bunch of Buckeyes 2024 commits who deserve recognition.
Lettermen Row picked five, in particular, and explained why each of these prospects shouldn’t be flying under the radar.
Check it out here.
The Recap: Everything we learned from Lettermen Row Cornerbacks Week
Lettermen Row “Cornerbacks Week” has reached its conclusion, and so has our position-by-position preview series. Big Ten Media Days are upon us.
But, first, here’s a look back at everything Ohio State cornerbacks-related we covered this week:
READ: Five Questions as Buckeyes cornerbacks look to regain ‘BIA’ status
READ: Best-case, worst-case scenarios for Buckeyes cornerback room
READ: Making three predictions for Buckeyes re-energized cornerbacks room
READ: Mapping out career path of each Buckeyes cornerback so far
READ: ‘Eye-opening,’ injury-riddled season made cornerback Jordan Hancock learn to grow
READ: Battle-tested Denzel Burke poised for breakout junior year
READ: Ohio State taking open-minded approach to malleable nickel position
READ: Lorenzo Styles Jr. embracing ‘special deal’ to join brother in Ohio State secondary
Counting down
Buckeyes vs. Indiana: 41 days
Buckeyes vs. Michigan: 126 days
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The post Scarlet Sunrise: Justin Fields eyeing Chicago Bears single-season record in 2023 appeared first on On3.
