2018 was a weird time for Ohio State. This blueblood program, merely 4 years after Urban Meyer delivered the Natty, was already in a state of flux. Sparing the scandalous circumstances around Meyer’s departure, the Buckeyes needed a new figurehead. Stepped up their offensive coordinator, Ryan Day- initially as acting head coach, before taking over the capacity full-time. The ‘18 season sparked the beginning of a new era in Columbus beyond this turnover at the helm. It also marked the ascension of their backup quarterback Dwayne Haskins through the depth chart.

Recruited in 2016 as a 4-star, Dwayne Haskins had humble beginnings to life at OSU. After redshirting as a freshman, he made 8 appearances in ‘17 but none as a starter. Haskins did, however, show enough to earn the QB1 shirt the following year. Safe to say he made the most of it. A record-shattering season followed, where he breached the single-season passing yardage and touchdown records for not just the school but the Big Ten collectively. Multiple individual and team accolades followed, including MVP performances in the conf. championship game and Rose Bowl. Riding a high, Dwayne Haskins opted to forego the remainder of his college eligibility and declare for the NFL draft. Maybe Ryan Day wishes he could’ve convinced him to stay on because of what followed.

After going 15th overall to the then-Redskins, Haskins’s time in the league was largely underwhelming. He began as a backup, akin to his time with the Buckeyes. He was named the starter the following season, but didn’t help his cause. A string of poor performances, in tandem with off-field issues pertaining to COVID-19 protocol, led to him unceremoniously being cut the day after a Week 16 game against the Panthers. Unfortunately, this would be the last time Dwayne Haskins would play a competitive game of football. He got signed by the Steelers as a backup the following season but never suited up for them. Mere days after joining the team, Haskins would meet a very egregious and even more untimely demise.

Over on his IG handle, Ryan Day has posted a picture of Dwayne Haskins in monochrome. Smiling while sporting an Ohio State jersey and a rose clenched within his teeth from the Rose Bowl. The picture is accompanied by text that reads, “In memoriam…Dwayne Haskins…1997-2022.” Ryan Day captioned the post “Miss you brother….” in what’s still just as saddening 3 years on from Haskins’ passing. It will perpetually be just as difficult to come to terms with, given the circumstances around how it came about.

Ryan Day and the wider football sphere remain in shock from Dwayne Haskins’ passing

Dwayne Haskins was in Florida to train with several of his Steelers teammates in his first off-season with the franchise. On April 9th at about 7 am, he allegedly pulled over on the interstate near Fort Lauderdale after his rental ran out of gas. Haskins even called his wife to inform her of the same and that he was going to attempt and grab some from a nearby gas station. How she’d wish to turn back time to that phone call. Haskins was imminently struck by a dump truck while crossing the interstate on foot. He succumbed to his injuries.

According to Wikipedia, “A toxicology report revealed Haskins had a blood alcohol level of .24 and had also tested positive for ketamine, oxymorphone, methamphetamine and norketamine.” There was a lawsuit filed by his representatives later, which suggested he was drugged by a group of 4 people. It even alleges the car he’d rented had a defect that caused it to run out of gas. There’s a dark cloud looming over Haskins’ passing. But whatever the reality around it, Ryan Day will find it difficult to find solace. 

Your first quarterback in your first head coaching gig. That has got to be a special, intrinsic bond, especially for an offensively inclined coach like Ryan Day. Both he and Dwayne Haskins will perpetually be indebted to each other’s contributions to their careers. Haskins’ story, begrudgingly, didn’t meet a fair conclusion. Day’s still writing his, and Haskins will forever be etched right at its genesis. May he rest in peace.