Heisman trophy finalist Dwayne Haskins was named Ohio State's 2019 Male Athlete of the Year on Wednesday, making him the first football player to win the award for OSU since Troy Smith back in 2007.
Haskins was a communications major and earned OSU Scholar Athlete and Academic All-Big Ten Honors in 2018 before declaring for the draft. But it was his performance on the field that stunned viewers.
The Potomac, Md., native set 28 records at Ohio State along with seven Big Ten records in passing yards, touchdowns and total offensive yards (4,939).
He also threw for 4,831 yards and had 50 touchdowns as he led the Buckeyes to a Big Ten title. Despite his evident success he never loses sight of what it took for him to get where he is now, especially when he didn't always have the starting QB position.
"It was definitely hard." Haskins said at the end of minicamp. "Every competitor wants to play, but you have to know that it's for the team, it's bigger than you."
Haskins' second-quarter pass in the Rose Bowl, which secured the victory over Washington, made him only the sixth player in FBS history to throw 50 touchdown passes in a single season.
After being picked up 15th-overall by the Redskins, he looks to use the same principles that guided him throughout his entire playing career to get through the process of playing at the next level.
"Being able to learn patience at Ohio State and of course in high school, everything is different, everything is a new learning experience."
Haskins will be placed on the ballot for the Big Ten Athlete of the Year awards, with winners set to be announced by the conference soon.
Other accolades Dwayne Haskins received during his last season at Ohio State include the Chicago Tribune Silver Football Award, the Big Ten's Graham-George Offensive Player of the Year and the Griese-Brees Quarterback of the Year.
