NCAA clears Georgia transfer QB Justin Fields for immediate eligibility at Ohio State

Ohio State announced Friday that the transfer waiver application seeking immediate eligibility for former Georgia quarterback Justin Fields has been approved by the NCAA.

Fields will be eligible to compete for Ohio State’s football team during the 2019 season.

“I am happy for Justin and his family,” Ohio State head coach Ryan Day said in a school release. “I also want to express my appreciation to the NCAA for its assistance in getting this matter resolved efficiently and with such a positive outcome for Justin.”

Fields, who played for Harrison High School in Cobb County, is currently a sophomore and enrolled in classes at Ohio State. He will be a sophomore in eligibility this fall for the Buckeyes after playing in 12 games last season for Georgia.

“I thank God for his guidance during this time of uncertainty,” Fields said in the school release. “I would like to thank the NCAA for its approval of the waiver allowing me to be eligible to play football this fall. I also want to thank all those who supported and encouraged my family and me during this process. While my case was pending before the NCAA, my family and I did not feel that it was appropriate to publicly speak about the circumstances leading to my transfer. In my silence, people began to speculate, and the story took on a life of its own.

“Now that this matter is concluded, I would like to clarify some facts. I have no regrets about my time at UGA and have no hard feelings for the school or football program. My overall experience at UGA was fully consistent with UGA’s commitment to diversity and inclusion. My sister is a softball player at UGA. I am still close friends with many of my UGA teammates. A part of me will always be a Georgia Bulldogs fan.

“To Buckeye Nation: thank you for your warm welcome. I will work hard to represent you and The Ohio State University in a professional and respectful manner. My dad always tells me that ‘you can’t get to where you are going by looking in the rear view mirror.’ I’m ready to move forward and embrace the next season of my life. I will not be speaking about my transfer again. Instead, I will focus all of my attention on getting to work in the classroom and on the field – and doing whatever else I can to help my teammates as we prepare for the 2019 season.”