Many things have gone on in the life of Justin Skyler Fields, just signed as the contender to become the Jets' new starting quarterback in free agency. On the football field, he was an "Elite" quarterback at his Georgia high school, a prolific passer in his two Ohio State seasons, a first-round NFL draft choice and a four-year starter. Off the field, he's a Christian and a pescatarian.
And among his set of NFL marks and distinctions in his young career is a connection to new Jets head coach Aaron Glenn. Here are seven areas you may not have known about Fields:
**Elite at an Early Age**
Fields showed his skills on a national stage when, in the summer before his 2017 senior season at Harrison HS in Kennesaw, GA, he participated in the Elite 11 high school quarterbacks competition. Not only was he one of the "Elite 11" finalists but he was also named MVP of the event.
Elite 11 is an invitational competition for high school QBs, with up to 500 QBs from around the country participating in regional events before the field is whittled down to the final 11, based on a flag football tournament and other events such as a distance throw. Former pro signal-caller Trent Dilfer is the lead coach of the event, and notable Elite 11 Finals alums include former future Jets Mark Sanchez, Geno Smith, Tim Tebow and, for one offseason, Teddy Bridgewater. And now Fields joins that group.
In two years as Harrison's starting QB, Fields put 69 touchdowns on the scoreboard — 41 passing, 28 rushing — and was also named first-team all-state and Mr. Georgia Football by the Touchdown Club of Atlanta.
**"His Fire Runs Really Hot"**
According to Sports Spectrum, a website where "sports and faith connect," Fields **[assembled one of the most prolific pair of seasons by an Ohio State quarterback ever](https://sportsspectrum.com/sport/football/2021/01/18/justin-fields-enters-nfl-draft-gods-grace-and-mercy/).**" In the 2019-20 seasons, he started all 22 games (the '20 season cut short due to COVID), completed 396 of 579 passes for 5,373 yards, 63 TDs and 9 INTs and added 218 rushes (which in college include sacks) for 867 yards and 15 more scores. And the Buckeyes went 20-2.
By the start of his final season in Columbus, Fields was the Buckeyes captain and a meetings monster, **[always asking detailed questions and taking copious notes](https://www.cleveland.com/osu/2020/10/ohio-state-footballs-justin-fields-has-faith-that-the-pain-of-2019-came-with-a-purpose.html)**, OSU coach Ryan Day recalled. "One thing about Justin is he doesn't get rattled," Day has said. "He is very composed. He doesn't get too high, doesn't get too low. But he's driven, and his fire runs really hot inside."