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Urban Meyer Weighs in on the Justin Fields-Trevor Lawrence Debate

By Jerry Trotta

College Football analyst Urban Meyer weighed in on the Trevor Lawrence-Justin Fields debate.
College Football analyst Urban Meyer weighed in on the Trevor Lawrence-Justin Fields debate. / Jamie Schwaberow/Getty Images

The 2020 college football season is still months away, though scouts and analysts have already locked horns about who they feel will be the No. 1 selection in next year's NFL Draft. The general consensus is that it will come down to Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence and Ohio State signal caller Justin Fields, both of whom enjoyed stellar campaigns in 2019.

Well, one of the sport's most notable figures, Urban Meyer, recently provided his opinion on who he thinks if the top QB in the college ranks. Fans in Columbus will be surprised to find out that the former Buckeyes head coach didn't let his ties to the school impede his decision-making process.

As of Thursday, Meyer has Lawrence ranked ahead of Fields, and his interpretation came down to one simple fact: the former has a one-year edge in the experience department.

“I had Fields and Trevor right next to each other," Meyer told 247Sports. “I put Trevor Lawrence for one reason: He played one more year. That was it. The one thing I’ll say about Justin Fields because I’m very close to the situation, any concerns about him being a throwing quarterback are gone now. He’s developed, he’s outstanding. I hear the guys talk. I talk to Coach Day, and obviously the quarterback coach I’m very close to. Comparisons to Dwayne Haskins are everywhere now as far as throwing the football, which — that’s an elite thrower."

Meyer giving Lawrence the nod over Fields just because the Clemson star has a year of experience on the Buckeyes phenom is kind of a letdown when you consider the deep insight the Fox Sports analyst left on the table.

Granted, Lawrence led the Tigers to a National Championship as a true freshman in 2018, so maybe Meyer's one-sided analysis holds some value. Then again, however, the Clemson star did regress as a sophomore.

Perhaps Fields is in for a similar regression in Year 2, so we should probably check back in with Meyer for his thoughts on this engaging debate after the 2020 campaign, when both players are widely expected to forgo their remaining years of eligibility and declare for the NFL Draft.