Former Ohio State quarterback JT Barrett reflects on Buckeyes career

Although the run of quarterbacks has been impressive for the Ohio State Buckeyes dating back to when Urban Meyer took over the program, few have had the success of JT Barrett. Being in Columbus for five seasons, not many players have reached the heights Barrett did as the starting quarterback for the Buckeyes.

Barrett recently spoke to Austin Ward of On3’s Letterman Row, reminiscing on his time with Ohio State. The quarterback said despite being so far removed from his playing days, he thinks the five years he spent in Columbus are some of the best in Buckeyes history.

“It’s interesting,” Barrett said. “You look up and how many years go by? But it’s been quite some time but it was a great time. The people I played with, the coaches I was able to play under. It was a great time for me in my life and wouldn’t trade the guys we were with. That time in Ohio State history — I don’t know too much, I know a little bit about my Buckeye history and then after we left, we had some great times being Buckeyes. That period of 2013 to 2017, for me, what a time to be a Buckeye. What a time to be a Buckeye, let me tell you.”

Ohio State went to five straight New Year’s Six Bowls while Barrett was on campus and even won the program’s latest national championship in 2014. He was the starter for the entire season before suffering an injury and seeing Cardale Jones finish off the run, beating the Alabama Crimson Tide in the semifinals and the Oregon Ducks in the CFP championship.

There was another College Football Playoff appearance for Barrett as well, losing to the Clemson Tigers in the 2016 edition.

During his final season, Barrett had the best of his career, eclipsing 3,000 rushing yards and nearly rushing for 800 yards. The once On3 Consensus four-star quarterback finished the season with 47 touchdowns, with 35 coming through the air and 12 on the ground. His final two games came with a Big Ten championship, something every great Ohio State player must have attached to their name.

Barrett began his career by taking a redshirt in 2013 but ended up playing for the Buckeyes in his remaining four years of eligibility. He currently holds the record for the most passing yards thrown in Ohio State history, having 9,434, and has the touchdown record as well, throwing 104. Nobody is even close to Barrett on both of those.