Ohio State Football

Justin Fields hasn't officially declared for the 2021 NFL draft, but there's no doubt he will, and the conversation around how good a pro quarterback he can be, and whether he should be the second quarterback taken, is at a peak.

Against Alabama's defense in the national championship Monday night, Fields didn't come close to replicating his transcendent six-touchdown Sugar Bowl performance, but he earned points for gritting through a hip pointer and playing the full game, even when Ohio State fell behind by 28 points at the end of the third quarter. His draft stock will get a boost from playing on the College Football Playoff stage.

"The more exposure, the better," said one scout who has evaluated Fields. "He is in the spotlight because of these last two games."

Quincy Avery, a private quarterback coach who has worked with Fields since high school, says Fields is the best quarterback he's ever worked with in terms of physical gifts. (And Avery works with Deshaun Watson.)

"He is 6'3", 225. He is going to run a high 4.4 [40-yard dash]. He has a really strong arm. He has all the physical characteristics you want, which I think makes him really, really special," Avery said. "When you are creating a QB in the lab in 2021, it looks really, really similar to Justin Fields." 

Take a look at the four AFC quarterbacks left standing in the postseason: first-round picks Patrick Mahomes, Baker Mayfield, Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson.

Three of the four, Mahomes, Allen and Jackson, were drafted primarily for their elite athletic traits and ability, not because they had shown complete command over that ability in college, put up big numbers in terms of accuracy or wins or even played against top competition. They were drafted for what they could become, in the right system and with the right coaching. 

The debate between traits vs. production seems to be leaning toward traits as recent quarterback draft classes take shape as professionals.

From the '20 draft class, Justin Herbert was not asked to do much in Oregon's offense. When he was, he sometimes overthrew receivers and struggled with accuracy. But he had the height, arm strength and speed to make him the perfect prospect in terms of traits. This season with the Los Angeles Chargers, he set NFL rookie records for completions (396), passing touchdowns (31) and total touchdowns (36). 

In his third year, Allen has made a huge jump in accuracy and is having a career season. Multiple sources wondered how the recent success of Herbert and Allen and the other trait quarterbacks will impact future draft classes. Is it an outlier or a trend?

As Avery pointed out, Fields has every trait of a modern quarterback, and those dynamic abilities will likely see him drafted as the second quarterback in this draft class, after Clemson's Trevor Lawrence.

Multiple NFL sources agreed that at this point in the process, Fields is likely the No. 2 quarterback, though it's too early to say definitively since it's a close contest with BYU's Zach Wilson.

Interviews will be a crucial component to setting prospects apart, and, of course, it could come down to how a team plans to use Fields in conjunction with its coaching staff. (And three of the quarterback-needy teams at the top of the draft have yet to make head-coaching hires: the Jacksonville Jaguars, New York Jets and Atlanta Falcons.)

Fields' production has been impressive, but his record is limited to one full season and one shortened season. He was 20-2 as a starter, was a Heisman Trophy finalist in 2019, won two Big Ten titles and made two College Football Playoff appearances. His stats at Ohio State: 396-of-579 (68.4 percent) passing for 5,373 yards, 63 touchdowns and nine interceptions. He also rushed for 867 yards and 15 touchdowns. 

Scouts agreed that Fields' Sugar Bowl performance against Clemson on Jan. 1 was the best of his collegiate career, coming against a top team in a pressure-packed environment. He completed 22 of 28 passes for 385 yards, including several NFL-quality "wow" throws, six touchdowns and one interception.

It helped quell some concerns about his NFL readiness, and scouts took note of Fields' toughness. He was hit hard in the back of his ribcage in the second quarter, received injections to ease the pain and returned to play the rest of the game, throwing four more touchdowns and leading the Buckeyes to a 49-28 win. 

In his postgame awards ceremony interview, Fields delivered a line that surely stole the hearts of general managers across the 32 clubs, regardless of their need for a quarterback. "I took a big shot," he said. "But what really kept me going was my brothers, the love for them. I'll do anything for these guys." 

"Toughness seems to be lost at that position, and it's a big thing to have because he's going to get hit as hard or harder in the NFL," the scout said. "To be able to stand in and take those hits is huge. Availability is where it is. "

Fields struggled in the Big Ten Championship Game against Northwestern's talented defense. He threw for 114 yards and no touchdowns, completed 44.4 percent of his passes and threw two interceptions. The performance felt similar to his struggles against Indiana this season when he completed 18 of 30 passes and tossed three interceptions.

During the Big Ten Championship Game, another scout texted, "I've had concerns. That certainly escalated them." 

Scouts agreed that the biggest question mark on Fields is how he will adjust to a pro-style offense and playing NFL defenses. NFL scouts want to see him get through his progressions quicker and make pre-snap coverage reads decisively.

"Playing in Ohio State's system, it seems like all their guys coming out, they seem to struggle initially because they haven't seen a lot of that stuff," the first scout said. 

Avery argues that Ohio State's offense is actually more like a professional offense than any other in college football, and scouts agreed it does utilize some pro concepts. Avery pointed to how much responsibility is put on the quarterback to read the defense and call out the protections for each play.

Some of Fields' struggles in quickly making his reads this season have led scouts to wonder if it was too much responsibility for him, how big a transition he'll need to diagnose NFL defenses and how much time he will need while making up for a shortened college career.

Fields started just 22 games over two seasons with the Buckeyes, and he played in 12 games his freshman season at Georgia when he backed up Jake Fromm. Jackson and Herbert each started at least 32 college games. Mahomes started 29 and Allen 25. 

"You are betting on his continued development for sure," said another scout who has evaluated Fields. 

Fields' limited starting experience isn't as much of a concern for scouts as it is for other prospects with limited starts because, as that scout pointed out, "Fields' running ability gives you comfort as he learns the offense."

It's not fair, but Fields may be hurt by the recent and public failure of the last Ohio State quarterback to be drafted in the first round. Dwayne Haskins came out of the same Ohio State system as Fields, and he was released not even two years later. Multiple NFL sources agree that precedent could influence Fields' stock.

Ohio State doesn't have much history producing NFL quarterbacks. Three have been drafted since 2010: Terrelle Pryor (third round, 2011 supplemental draft), Cardale Jones (2016 fourth round), and Dwayne Haskins Jr. (2019 first round).

Scouts point out it's wrong to bring up Haskins because Fields is a dynamic athlete, whereas Haskins is more in the mold of a pocket passer. Haskins also entered a situation with the Washington Football Team that one NFL team executive referred to as "horrific." 

Assuming Lawrence goes first to Jacksonville, the market for Fields could take a number of forms.

Will the Jets decide to move on from Sam Darnold and draft a quarterback at No. 2? Their head-coach hire will shed more light on that, but in conversations with scouts around the league, no one has argued that the Jets trading Darnold is the clear move or best option.

The Miami Dolphins pick after the Jets and likely won't be thinking quarterback again. The Falcons sit at No. 4, which is a possibility for Fields as they need to think about who is up next after Matt Ryan.

A number of other teams might target Fields if he drops or they move up, like the Detroit Lions (No. 7), Carolina Panthers (No. 8), Denver Broncos (No. 9), New England Patriots (No. 15), Washington (No. 19) and Indianapolis Colts (No. 21). 

One way or another, if recent quarterback draft trends pan out, Fields' traits will make him a coveted prospect.

Editor's note: This article has been updated to correct the sourcing on select passages.

Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields shared the advice he gave to some of his younger teammates Monday night following the Buckeyes' 52-24 loss to the Alabama Crimson Tide in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game.

According to Justin Holbrock of NBC4, Fields said he told the players: "I encouraged them to just get back to work and remember this feeling."

Alabama imposed its will on an OSU team that entered the game undefeated and was coming off a win over Clemson in the CFP semifinals. The Buckeyes had no answer for a Crimson Tide attack that rolled up 621 yards of total offense in the victory.

Fields, who threw for 385 yards and six touchdowns in the 49-28 win over Trevor Lawrence and Clemson, was no match for a Bama offense spearheaded by quarterback Mac Jones, running back Najee Harris and wide receiver DeVonta Smith, who was named Offensive MVP of the game to go along with his Heisman Trophy.

Fields went 17-of-33 for 194 yards with one touchdown through the air and rushed for 67 yards in the loss. Jones went 36-of-45 for 464 yards and five touchdowns to cap a spectacular season.

Although Fields has yet to make an official announcement, he looks like a strong bet to enter the 2021 NFL draft since he could get taken as early as No. 2 overall by the New York Jets after Lawrence presumably goes first to the Jacksonville Jaguars.

As a sophomore last season, Fields threw for 3,273 yards, 41 touchdowns and three interceptions, while adding 484 yards and 10 scores on the ground.

In a 2020 season that was shortened for Big Ten teams because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Fields threw for 2,100 yards, 22 touchdowns and six picks, and rushed for 383 yards and five touchdowns.

It is difficult to envision Fields staying in school with those numbers, and if he does leave, head coach Ryan Day will be left with the gargantuan task of replacing him.

Ohio State figures to lose several key players to the NFL, as it does every year, but it will reload and bring back no shortage of quality contributors from this season's team as well.

What happened in Monday's game may be a learning lesson for many of those players, and it could better prepare them if they wind up on that stage again, which is clearly what Fields is hoping for.

Ohio State star Justin Fields lamented his showing in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game after the Buckeyes suffered a 52-24 loss to Alabama.  

"I didn't get the job done," Fields told reporters after the game. "I was healthy enough."

The status of his ribs had been an ongoing storyline in the buildup after he suffered an injury in OSU's Sugar Bowl win over Clemson.

Ohio State head coach Ryan Day acknowledged Fields was carrying some sort of problem into the game, telling reporters he was "not 100 percent."

The junior quarterback was being a bit too hard on himself. His final numbers weren't great (17-of-33, 194 yards, one touchdown), but OSU lost because it had no answer for the Crimson Tide offense. Mac Jones threw for 464 yards and five touchdowns, and Najee Harris and Brian Robinson Jr. combined for 148 yards and two scores on the ground.

Fields will presumably be moving on to the NFL next.

He still has eligibility left, and the opportunity to win a national championship could prove alluring after having come so close in 2019 and 2020. But the Georgia native doesn't have much to gain personally by spending a third season with the Buckeyes.

After Trevor Lawrence, he might be the No. 2 quarterback on the board in the 2021 NFL draft, all but assuring he'll be a high pick.

Fields and Day echoed how Monday's defeat could be a learning experience for the players:

Ryan Day said the guys returning will be able to use this game as motivation.

— Lantern Sports (@LanternSports) January 12, 2021

"I encouraged them to just get back to work and remember this feeling" — Justin Fields on what he told Ohio State's younger players after the loss.

— Justin Holbrock (@JustinHolbrock) January 12, 2021

Fields will leave big shoes to fill for his successor in Columbus.

Ohio State running back Trey Sermon was brought to the hospital after suffering an injury early in Monday's College Football Playoff National Championship Game against Alabama.

ESPN's Maria Taylor provided an update, noting the player couldn't lift his arm:

.@MariaTaylor provides an update on RB Trey Sermon, who is headed to the hospital after being injured in the first quarter. pic.twitter.com/A7AfYhEpJK

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) January 12, 2021

Sermon had only one carry for two yards before coming out of the game.

The senior was red hot entering the title game, rushing for 524 yards with three touchdowns over his last two appearances. He set a school record with 331 rushing yards in the Big Ten title game against Northwestern.

Despite getting limited opportunities earlier in the season, he became the team's leading rusher and headed into Monday with 868 rushing yards on 7.5 per carry this season.

Sermon began his college career at Oklahoma and totaled 2,076 rushing yards and 22 scores across three seasons before transferring to Ohio State for his final collegiate season. Unfortunately, his last game will be cut short because of an injury.

Master Teague filled in for the Buckeyes at running back and came through quickly with two first-half touchdowns in the title game.

Teague had 449 rushing yards in his first six games this season, including 169 in a win over Indiana.

Thirteen Ohio State players will miss the College Football Playoff National Championship Game against Alabama on Monday night.

Kicker Blake Haubeil, defensive tackle Tommy Togiai and defensive end Tyreke Smith are among the notable absences, per ESPN's Tom VanHaaren:

Here is #OhioState’s list of unavailable players for tonight’s game. Includes defensive linemen Tommy Togiai and Tyreke Smith pic.twitter.com/5nhraAZgRY

— Tom VanHaaren (@TomVH) January 12, 2021

Haubeil announced on Instagram he'd be out for COVID-19-related reasons.

Ohio State kicker Blake Haubeil speaking out about his situation as he will miss the title game. pic.twitter.com/GemKDB1Saa

— Austin Ward (@AWardSports) January 11, 2021

College coaches aren't required to disclose the extent to which a team could be impacted by COVID-19. Because of that, fans have often been left to wonder until the last minute who would and wouldn't be available to play.

Questions about Ohio State arose last week after AL.com's John Talty and Matt Zenitz reported the Buckeyes "informed key parties" they might be missing a position group when they played the Crimson Tide.

Togiai has 27 total tackles and 5.5 tackles for loss in eight games. Smith's impact has been more muted, but he had a big sack on Clemson star Trevor Lawrence in the fourth quarter that caused a fumble. Their collective absence will be felt against an explosive Alabama offense.

No Tommy Togiai or Tyreke Smith, who were huge vs Clemson. That's brutal to not get to see them tonight.

— Michael Felder (@InTheBleachers) January 12, 2021

Haubeil, meanwhile, was 5-of-7 on field goals. Dominic DiMaccio is the only other Ohio State kicker to connect on a field goal this season, which came from 22 yards. The kicking game hasn't been a vital piece of Ohio State's offense, but losing Haubeil could alter how Ryan Day operates once he gets inside Crimson Tide territory.

What happens next will actually feel quite normal. The restlessness surrounding the college football season's final act, whether you have a horse in the race or not, will surface like it normally does. There will be a sense of history. There will be a sense of sadness. Of pride and appreciation. It will be euphoric and empty all at once. All of it, in a way, will feel deeply familiar.

The matchup that will carry us to the offseason is rich in storylines and possibilities. But the fact that we are here, on the cusp of the final game, is nothing short of a minor miracle.

Before we immerse ourselves in Alabama vs. Ohio State—in Mac Jones vs. Justin Fields and Nick Saban vs. Ryan Day and DeVonta Smith vs. the football universe—we must first retrace how it all came together.

We must remind ourselves of how exactly we arrived in this place. It wasn't easy; it still isn't. And it's unknown how long that will be the case. It was different in many ways, but it was also familiar in ways that we didn't expect.

The national championship will be played Monday night at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. It will mark five months to the day the Big Ten announced it was postponing its fall football season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Pac-12 followed suit. Uncertainty mounted. In that moment, it felt like the season was slipping away. A national championship wasn't even being thought about.

The players and coaches embarked on the #WeAreUnited and #WeWantToPlay movement, which largely escalated thanks to Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence, who fell one game short of making it to the very end.

Seasons were delayed. Then the Big Ten came back. The Pac-12 followed.

And so, they played. Or at least they tried. Many did so without fans, the lifeblood of a sport normally drenched in pageantry and emotion. Some played a schedule that resembled something close to a normal season. Others were limited to a handful of games. That discrepancy, while far less of a talking point now, somewhat fittingly follows us to college football's conclusion.

There were postponements and cancellations. Lots of them. All told, more than 120 games were altered because of the pandemic. Not even the national championship was free of this speculation, with rumors of COVID-19 issues at Ohio State sparking concerns over whether the game will go on as planned.

Players tested positive along the way. Games were lost. Coaches, including the two who will pace the sidelines on Monday evening, yelled at their televisions and their teams from their homes after their own positive tests.

The playoff was decided a few days before Christmas. The Heisman Trophy was awarded through video conference on a Tuesday night in January. This was a year we will never forget and not one we will ever want to relive. A year of change and doubt and concern.

And yet, here we are.

What happens next is familiar. And with Alabama and Ohio State, it can be about football.

There are two elite quarterbacks with vastly different styles and journeys.

Justin Fields began his career at Georgia as a 5-star recruit. He ends it at Ohio State, with a wealth of NFL interest surrounding his immense physical gifts, and with a rib cage that may or may not be completely healed after the brutal hit he took (and played through) against Clemson.

Mac Jones was never supposed to be here. He wasn't expected to start or star after taking over for Tua Tagovailoa last season when he went down with an injury. A 3-star QB in a football machine that normally welcomes and molds 5-stars, Jones' path to stardom is loud, unexpected and welcomed.

Two remarkable running backs with vastly different physiques and techniques.

Najee Harris is 230 pounds—part bowling ball, part ballerina. He can run through a team's best linebacker or hurdle its best defensive back. No matter his performance in what is certain to be his final game at Alabama, Harris will leave a legacy that few running backs at the school have left. Given the competition and those that came before him, that's saying something.

Trey Sermon is a football comet. He left Oklahoma for Ohio State this offseason, only to spend much of the year getting healthy. In the past two games, he's run for 524 yards. As Ohio State has found new life, Sermon has seen his profile explode. His emergence has come at just the right moment, especially considering the unknowns surrounding Fields.

Two collections of wideouts capable of taking a game over at any moment.

DeVonta Smith is a Heisman winner. That says it all. A wide receiver who was never the biggest or the fastest or the most talked-about, a theme that carried into this season. He will leave as one of the most decorated and celebrated players in the history of Alabama. And, as has been the case this season, he is likely to flash one last time.

While Ohio State doesn't necessarily have a DeVonta Smith—and this year, no one did—Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson aren't far off. They are plenty capable of having that kind of impact. Clemson saw that firsthand. This is an exceptional duo.

Two head coaches at different points in their personal and professional lives.

Nick Saban has been here. He has won this game six times. A seventh would only further cement him as the greatest coach in college football history. While the questions surrounding his coaching future will always exist until the 69-year-old finally retires, this doesn't feel like his last chance. It's just another in a long line of championship moments.

His opponent, Ryan Day, is just 41. But youth and inexperience has yet to hinder a coach who owns a 23-1 record. His offensive bag of tricks is plenty deep. And for as much as Saban has to counter, this is an entirely different challenge.

This is why we watch. Two elite coaches. Two elite offenses. Two rosters stockpiled with future NFL players. Two of the sport's biggest brands matching up in a game that will carry history forward.

To get here, the two teams played a different number of games. The discrepancies, while well documented, no longer matter. The controversy surrounding the playoff and its participants has subsided. The question as to whether a wide receiver can really win the Heisman has been answered.

There are no more questions. Just a single game and a single outcome. But we know how much it took to get here, and we are thankful for those who made it possible.

It will feel the same, look the same and sound the same, but we know better. We, like the teams, players and coaches, have been along for the ride. But given all that it has taken to get us here—uncertainty that will linger up until the vey end—Alabama-Ohio State is a fitting final chapter.

For the first time in a long time, it feels right.

Despite concerns about availability for Ohio State players, the College Football Playoff National Championship Game will be played Monday night as scheduled, according to Heather Dinich of ESPN.

"As I have said all week the game is on. Alabama’s team will be traveling to Miami tonight, Ohio State will be arriving [Saturday]," CFP executive director Bill Hancock said Friday. "We look forward to a great night of college football."

Alabama athletic director Greg Byrne said his team is "good to go" after receiving their COVID-19 test results. Dinich reported the Crimson Tide will arrive in Miami tonight, while the Buckeyes are set to travel tomorrow.

John Talty and Matt Zenitz of AL.com previously reported there were discussions about postponing the game because of COVID-19 with Ohio State potentially without a position group as a result of testing and protocols.

Dan Patrick also reported Thursday that Ohio State was close to the minimum amount of players required for a game:

Source: “Ohio State is very close to the availability limit right now . The #BigTen is advocating for the #CFBPlayoff National Title Game to be postponed for a week, not Ohio State.” pic.twitter.com/aGJ6QDnbAU

— Dan Patrick Show (@dpshow) January 7, 2021

Buckeyes coach Ryan Day downplayed the concerns, saying Thursday: "We’ll have plenty of players."

Ohio State has already had its season heavily impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Big Ten had a shortened regular season with only eight games per team, while the Buckeyes only completed five of them because of outbreaks in three different weeks.

The squad remained undefeated and won a Big Ten title before beating Clemson in the Sugar Bowl to earn a spot in the championship game.

Alabama (12-0) had one game postponed earlier this season but made up the matchup against LSU three weeks later. The Crimson Tide enter the championship game coming off a 31-14 win over Notre Dame in the Rose Bowl.

Amid COVID-19 concerns with the Ohio State Buckeyes, head coach Ryan Day believes his team will be ready for the College Football Playoff National Championship on Monday.

Day said "correct" when asked by reporters if his team was on track to play Monday against Alabama.

"We'll have plenty of players," he added.

John Talty and Matt Zenitz of AL.com reported Tuesday there have been "concerns related to Ohio State’s player availability for the game" after the Buckeyes "informed key parties involved it could be without a position group due to COVID-19 testing and related protocols."

Talty and Zenitz noted officials from Ohio State, Alabama, the SEC, the Big Ten and the College Football Playoff have had discussions about potentially postponing the game.

However, Bill Hancock, the executive director of the College Football Playoff, told ESPN's Heather Dinich on Tuesday the game will be played as scheduled.

"I can tell you there are no changes," Hancock said. "The game is scheduled for Jan. 11, as planned, and we look forward to it."

Radio host Dan Patrick reported Thursday morning that Ohio State "is very close to the availability limit right now" and that the Big Ten is pushing for the game to be postponed.

A College Football Playoff spokesperson told Kyle Rowland of The Blade last month that conference COVID-19 testing protocols will apply to teams in the playoff.

The Big Ten's adjusted rules require players who test positive to sit out at least 17 days. Games during the regular season were canceled if a team had a positivity rate of at least 5 percent.

Ohio State played the Big Ten Championship Game against Northwestern on Dec. 19 without 22 players, including three starters, because of COVID-19 issues.

The Buckeyes beat Clemson 49-28 in the College Football Playoff semifinals on Jan. 1.

Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields said he will be ready to take the field for Monday's College Football Playoff National Championship game against Alabama and has no problem with how the Buckeyes' team doctors handled his injury following a hard hit against Clemson in the semifinals.

"Those guys handled it the way I would have wanted it to be handled," he said, per ESPN's Adam Rittenberg. "They did what they thought was best. I'll be good come Monday night."

Clemson linebacker James Skalski hit Fields near his ribcage in the second quarter of the game, and the Buckeyes quarterback remained on the ground in obvious pain. While Fields missed just one play, it was clear he played in pain throughout the remainder of the contest as he grimaced a number of times, limped off the field after throwing a touchdown pass and struggled to get on the exercise bike.

Skalski was ejected for targeting

The hard hit didn't stop Fields from torching the Tigers' secondary to the tune of 385 passing yards, six touchdowns and one interception while also adding 42 yards on the ground in a blowout 49-28 win.

Still, the quarterback turned heads after the game when he talked about the process he went through with the team doctors.

"They didn't really tell me anything," he said, per Erick Smith of USA Today. "I took a shot or two and just ran back out there. But it's pretty much my whole right is sore. That's messed up. And a little, my hip. But they didn't really give me a diagnosis at all."

Fields' comments on Thursday suggest he was perfectly fine with the process, and the way he played is a testament to his toughness and individual ability. 

Ohio State will need him to once again be at his best to defeat the Crimson Tide, especially since they may be shorthanded because of COVID-19 issues. Head coach Ryan Day told reporters on Thursday the team is still unsure how many players will be sidelined, although he expects "plenty of players" to be available.

The Big Ten has reportedly advocated for the College Football Playoff National Championship, which is scheduled for Monday night, to be postponed for one week because of concerns about the number of players who may be inactive for Ohio State.

Dan Patrick reported Thursday the Buckeyes are "very close to the availability limit" because of COVID-19 protocols as they prepare to face Alabama:

Source: “Ohio State is very close to the availability limit right now . The #BigTen is advocating for the #CFBPlayoff National Title Game to be postponed for a week, not Ohio State.” pic.twitter.com/aGJ6QDnbAU

— Dan Patrick Show (@dpshow) January 7, 2021

Patrick noted there are particular concerns around the OSU defensive line, the unit that was a critical factor in the team's upset victory over Clemson in the Sugar Bowl semifinal.

John Talty and Matt Zenitz of AL.com previously reported there were discussions between all parties involved—the CFP, SEC, Big Ten and both schools—about the possibility of moving the game, which is set to take place at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, to Jan. 18.

On Tuesday, both CFP executive director Bill Hancock and Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith told ESPN there were no imminent plans to postpone the game.

"I can tell you there are no changes," Hancock said. "The game is scheduled for Jan. 11, as planned, and we look forward to it."

Smith added: "We're following the same protocols we followed all season long. We intend to play on Jan. 11, and we continue to communicate with the Big Ten and now the CFP; so at this point in time, we see the game being played. But who knows what tomorrow will bring? That's COVID. We're on track right now."

There has been no indication of contingency plans in place should the Buckeyes fall below the availability limit, which could be especially difficult if it happens after both teams have already arrived in Florida.

Alabama, led by recently crowned Heisman Trophy winner DeVonta Smith, is coming off a 31-14 victory over Notre Dame in the Rose Bowl semifinal.

"Last night was a great feeling," Smith told reporters Wednesday after winning the Heisman on Tuesday night. "It was just a blessing to be in that situation with [quarterback Mac Jones and head coach Nick Saban]. But now that's in the past, and now it's on to Ohio State."

If the title game isn't postponed, Monday's kickoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET on ESPN.