CLEVELAND — The Washington football team’s interim coaching staff is turning over the keys to the offense to rookie quarterback, and former Ohio State Buckeyes star signal-caller, Dwayne Haskins for the remainder of the 2019 season.
According to a report from Albert Breer of the Monday Morning Quarterback, Haskins will remain the starting quarterback with veterans Case Keenum and Colt McCoy as the Nos. 2 and 3 players on the depth chart.
“He needs experience,” interim coach Bill Callahan said. “Let’s face it, let’s give Dwayne an opportunity. We’re at a juncture where we don’t want to be record-wise, so this is a good opportunity for him to take advantage of every rep practice-wise and game-wise so we can see growth in his play.”
A first-round pick of Washington in the 2019 NFL Draft after one year as the Ohio State starting quarterback, Haskins made his first start ahead of the bye week break two weeks ago against the Buffalo Bills.
The 6-foot-4, 231-pound Haskins completed 15 of his 22 attempts (68.2 percent) for 144 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions in a 24-9 loss at Buffalo.
In three games this season, Haskins has completed 27 of his 44 attempts (61.4 percent) for 284 yards and no touchdowns against four interceptions. Additionally, Haskins has rushed for 37 yards and two first downs on five carries.
Haskins was selected by the Washington football team with the No. 15 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. Despite starting for only one year, Haskins’ professional prospects rose with his success in late-season games.
On the way to Big Ten Championship Game Most Valuable Player honors in 2018, Haskins completed 34 of his 41 attempts for 499 yards and five touchdowns against one interception. Haskins’ 34 completions, 41 attempts, 499 yards and five passing touchdowns set new Big Ten Championship Game records.
The 499 yards were a single-game personal best for Haskins, who eclipsed the 300-yard mark nine times and the 400-yard plateau on five occasions, including two of the last three games, and just missed the latter with a 396-yard showing against the Michigan Wolverines on November 24.
Haskins completed 348 of his 496 attempts (70.2 percent) for 4,580 yards and 47 touchdowns against just eight interceptions. Also, Haskins rushed for four touchdowns in his lone season as a starter.
After sitting behind record-setting signal-caller J.T. Barrett for two seasons, Haskins was the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year, Quarterback of the Year, the Offensive Player of the Week a record six times and a finalist for the Heisman Trophy in 2018.
Among the records Haskins set in 2018 were touchdowns responsible for (51) and total offensive yards (4,702).