5 Best Ohio State Buckeyes Quarterbacks of All Time

Over the years, the Ohio State Buckeyes have achieved tremendous success, including nine claimed national championships, and a significant part of that success has been attributed to the quarterback position. 

Today, football betting on the Buckeyes’ CFB odds at the BetMGM online sportsbook is available. 

Below, I’ll list the five best Ohio State quarterbacks in program history. 

For more top Ohio State legends, check out my list of the top Buckeyes football players of all time. 

Who Are the Best Ohio State Quarterbacks Ever?

1. Troy Smith

While at Ohio State from 2003 to 2006, Smith threw for 5,720 yards (ninth in program history), 54 touchdowns (tied for seventh), accrued 6,888 total yards (seventh), and 68 total touchdowns (seventh). 

Although his statistics may not be among the top in the Ohio State quarterback history books, he’s the only Ohio State quarterback ever to win the Heisman Trophy. 

Additionally, he won the Davey O’Brien Award, Chic Harley Award, Walter Camp Award, Archie Griffin Award, was named the AP College Football Player of the Year, and was also a unanimous All-American. 

2. C.J. Stroud

Stroud was at Ohio State from 2020 to 2022, but didn’t get to start until 2021. 

In two seasons, Stroud threw for 8,123 yards (second) and 85 touchdowns (second). He also holds the single-game passing yardage record with 573 in 2021 against Utah. 

He was a second- and third-team All-American, two-time Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year, two-time Big Ten Quarterback of the Year, Big Ten Freshman of the Year, and a two-time first-team All-Big Ten honoree. 

His college career came to a close in a 42-41 loss to Georgia in the College Football Playoff semifinal following a missed 50-yard field goal. 

3. Justin Fields

While Fields was only at Ohio State for two seasons, he was sensational, throwing for 63 touchdowns (third). He also only had nine interceptions. 

As a runner, he added 867 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns. 

He was a second-team All-American, Big Ten MVP, a two-time Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year, a two-time Big Ten Quarterback of the Year, and a two-time first-team All-Big Ten selection. 

Fields also never lost in the regular season. His two losses came in a College Football Playoff semifinal game against Clemson (Dec. 28, 2019) and the national championship against Alabama (Jan. 11, 2021).

4. J.T. Barrett

Barrett was with the Buckeyes from 2014 to 2017. Over 50 games, he threw for 9,434 yards (first) and 104 touchdowns (first).

He also ran 656 times (fifth) for 3,263 rushing yards (ninth).

While Barrett was a member of the 2014 national championship squad, it was Cardale Jones who played in that game. 

Still, Barrett won the Kellen Moore Award, was a third-team All-American, Big Ten MVP, three-time Big Ten Quarterback of the Year, Big Ten Freshman of the Year, and three-time first-team All-Big Ten. 

5. Dwayne Haskins

Haskins started just one full season for the Buckeyes, but it was a memorable one. 

In 2018, he completed 70% of his passes for 4,831 yards, 50 touchdowns, and eight interceptions. He also had 108 rushing yards and four rushing scores. 

Who Was the Best Quarterback Ever for the Ohio State Buckeyes?

The best quarterback ever for the Ohio State Buckeyes is Troy Smith. 

He is the only Ohio State quarterback to have won the Heisman Trophy. 

Who Is the Winningest Quarterback in Ohio State Buckeyes History?

The winningest quarterback in Ohio State Buckeyes history, based on victories, is J.T. Barrett with 38.