Commanders

Ohio State honors late QB Dwayne Haskins during spring game

Commanders
Haskins tribute

The Ohio State football team played its annual spring game this past Saturday, but much of the day was dedicated to remembering the late Dwayne Haskins Jr. rather than any on-field play.

Haskins -- who played at Ohio State for three seasons and broke numerous Buckeye records in 2018, his lone year as the team's starter -- was tragically killed on Saturday, April 9, after being struck by a dump truck on a Broward County, Fla. highway.

Before the game, the Buckeyes held a moment of silence in memory of the former quarterback.

Additionally, every Buckeyes player wore a 'DH' decal on the back of their helmet, too, in honor of Haskins. Coaches wore a similar pin on their clothes with the QB's initials as well.

Quarterback C.J. Stroud, who had a personal relationship with Haskins, wore the late QB's jersey during the spring game. After throwing the first touchdown pass of the exhibition contest, Stroud immediately pointed to the nameplate on the back of his jersey to pay tribute to Haskins.

During one commercial break, the Buckeyes played a two-minute tribute video for Haskins on the jumbotron. Later, Ohio State's social team posted the same clip on Twitter.

Earlier in the week, Ohio State held a candlelight vigil for Haskins outside of Ohio Stadium. Several current and former players, including Cardale Jones, Master Teague and Sevyn Banks, were in attendance and spoke about the legacy Haskins has left behind.

 

Haskins played three years at Ohio State before becoming a first-round pick by Washington in 2019. He spent two seasons with the Burgundy and Gold before signing with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2021.

Haskins was expected to compete with Mitch Trubisky and Mason Rudolph for playing time this upcoming season.