Dwayne Haskins: A Retrospective on College Achievements and NFL Career

Dwayne Haskins Jr. (May 3, 1997 - April 9, 2022) was an American professional football quarterback whose career, though tragically short, was marked by both collegiate brilliance and NFL challenges. This article explores Haskins' remarkable college statistics at Ohio State, his transition to the NFL, and the circumstances surrounding his untimely death.

Collegiate Career at Ohio State

Haskins' college football career at Ohio State University was defined by record-breaking performances and accolades. After redshirting his first year in 2016, he served as a backup to J.T. Barrett in 2017, completing 40 of 57 passes for 565 yards and four touchdowns. Notably, he stepped in during the annual rivalry game against Michigan in the third quarter after Barrett sustained a leg injury, helping the Buckeyes overcome a six-point deficit to secure a 31-20 victory.

Record-Breaking 2018 Season

In 2018, Haskins emerged as a star quarterback, setting Big Ten Conference records for single-season passing yards and passing touchdowns as a sophomore. Before the Week 13 game against Michigan, he was already ranked as the No. 3 single-season passing touchdown quarterback in Big Ten history, with 3,280 passing yards and 36 touchdown passes.

His performance against the Wolverines further solidified his place in Big Ten history. Haskins surpassed NFL legend Drew Brees and former Buckeye standout J.T. Barrett, reaching his 40th touchdown pass, breaking Brees' all-time mark set in the 1998 season. The record-breaking touchdown came on a pass to wide receiver K.J. Hill, extending the Buckeyes' lead to 54-32.

Accolades and Recognition

Haskins' exceptional performance in 2018 earned him numerous accolades, including first-team All-Big Ten honors, six Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week awards, the Graham-George Offensive Player of the Year, the Griese-Brees Quarterback of the Year, the Chicago Tribune Silver Football, and the Male Ohio State Athlete of the Year awards. He also claimed school records in total offense in a season (4,900+ yards), total offensive yards in a game (477), and total passing yards in a game (470). In all 12 of his starts, he threw for more than 225 passing yards, including eight games of more than 300 yards, and four games of more than 400. He was also named as a semifinalist for the Maxwell Award and finished third in the Heisman Trophy voting.

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Decision to Enter the NFL Draft

After a stellar 2018 season, Haskins announced in January 2019 that he would forgo his remaining two years of college football eligibility and enter the 2019 NFL draft.

NFL Career

Haskins was selected by the Washington Redskins in the first round of the 2019 NFL draft. However, his NFL career was marked by inconsistency and challenges.

Washington Redskins (2019-2020)

Haskins saw his first action with the team in a Week 4 game against the New York Giants, replacing Case Keenum, who was benched due to poor performance. Haskins struggled in the game, throwing for 107 yards and three interceptions, including a pick-six, as the Redskins lost 24-3.

During a Week 8 game against the Minnesota Vikings, Haskins again replaced Keenum, who left the game due to a concussion. Haskins' first win as a starter came during Week 12 against the Detroit Lions, where he finished with 156 passing yards, 28 rushing yards, and an interception in the 19-16 victory.

In the Week 14 game against the San Francisco 49ers, Haskins played in the second half after Alex Smith left the game due to a calf strain. He then started the following week's game against the Seattle Seahawks because Smith had yet to recover from his injury. In the game, Haskins threw for 295 yards and one touchdown with two interceptions during a 20-15 loss.

Off-the-field issues also plagued Haskins' time with the Redskins. Following the game against the Seahawks, he was photographed attending his girlfriend's birthday party without wearing a face mask. In December 2020, Haskins was fined $40,000 by the Washington Football Team and was no longer a captain.

Haskins was eventually released by the Washington Football Team in December 2020.

Pittsburgh Steelers (2021-2022)

In January 2021, Haskins signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers, providing him with a fresh start. He was under contract with the Steelers until his death in April 2022.

Nickname

Haskins went by the nickname "Simba," inspired by the protagonist of the 1994 film The Lion King. He acquired the nickname as a child because his afro reminded his mother of a lion's mane.

Death

Dwayne Haskins tragically passed away on April 9, 2022, after being struck by a dump truck in South Florida. According to a toxicology report, Haskins was legally drunk at the time of his death, which was ruled an accident. A lawsuit filed about the incident claims that Haskins was drugged and robbed by a group that contained one man and three women prior to his death.

College Statistics Overview

Dwayne Haskins' college statistics at Ohio State showcase his exceptional talent and impact on the program:

2017 Season: 40 of 57 passes completed for 565 yards and 4 touchdowns.
2018 Season: Set Big Ten Conference records for single-season passing yards and passing touchdowns.
Single-Game Records: 477 total offensive yards, 470 total passing yards.
Single-Season Records: 4,900+ yards of total offense.
Awards: First-team All-Big Ten, Graham-George Offensive Player of the Year, Griese-Brees Quarterback of the Year, Chicago Tribune Silver Football, Male Ohio State Athlete of the Year.

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