Freshman quarterback Justin Fields, the subject of a higher profile transfer, was nowhere to be found in the Georgia locker room after the Bulldogs’ 28-21 loss to Texas in the Sugar Bowl.
Fields traveled to New Orleans and practiced with the Bulldogs, but did not play in Tuesday’s game.
A member of UGA’s support staff told reporters Fields “was just here” as they were allowed in the locker room following a 20-minute “cooling off period.”
Fields, a 5-star recruit out of Kennesaw, entered his name in the NCAA’s transfer portal two weeks ago allowing him to speak to other schools about a possible transfer.
One of those schools has been rumored to be Ohio State. Buckeyes quarterback Tate Martell, who has designated himself the starter should Dwayne Haskins leave for the NFL, has previously made some pointed remarks about players considering a transfer to Columbus, Ohio.
He tweeted on Dec. 21: “word of advice: - don’t swing and miss ... especially not your second time”
Martell continued his assault with a profane interview with the Buckeyes’ student newspaper after Ohio State’s win Tuesday at the Rose Bowl over Washington. A Lantern editor tweeted in part: “I feel great out there every time I do go out there with the ones. Coach Meyer throws me out there with the ones all the time. That's just my opinion on it. I just don't want him to make a bad decision because he is going to go somewhere where we is going to play.”
Asked if he would leave the Buckeyes if another quarterback transferred, Martell was adamant: “Why would I leave for someone who hasn’t put a single second into this program yet? I’ve put two years of working my ass off for something that I’ve been waiting for and dreaming of having my whole life.”
Haskins, a Heisman Trophy finalist, told 247 Sports that Fields had reached out prior to the bowl game inquiring about his intentions to enter the NFL Draft. Haskins, a redshirt junior, has until Jan. 15 to declare. Spring football starts in March.
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