Where Did Joe Burrow Go To College: The College Experience You Need to Know
Joe Burrow is an American football quarterback who currently plays for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League (NFL). He was selected first overall by the Bengals in the 2020 NFL Draft after a record-breaking college career. But where exactly did Joe Burrow play college football before making it to the NFL?
Ohio State University (2015-2017)
After an outstanding high school career in Athens, Ohio, Joe Burrow was a highly sought-after 4-star recruit. He committed to Ohio State University, a powerful program in the Big Ten Conference. As a freshman at Ohio State in 2015, Burrow was redshirted and did not see any game action behind veteran starters J.T. Barrett and Cardale Jones.
Burrow as a Backup (2016-2017)
In 2016, Burrow was elevated to the backup quarterback position behind new starter J.T. Barrett. He appeared in six games that season, completing 22 of 28 passes for two touchdowns and no interceptions. With Barrett returning for 2017, Burrow again figured to be the backup QB. He played minimally in blowout wins over UNLV, Rutgers, and Maryland.
Transfer from Ohio State
With Dwayne Haskins emerging as the next man up after Barrett, Burrow opted to transfer from Ohio State after the 2017 season. He graduated in three years, allowing him to play immediately at another school without sitting out. Burrow left Ohio State having completed 29-of-39 passes for two touchdowns and zero interceptions in limited backup duty.
Louisiana State University (2018-2019)
In May 2018, Burrow announced he would transfer to Louisiana State University. LSU was an intriguing choice, as the Tigers had an established starter in Joe Burrow. However, Burrow saw an opportunity to compete and felt LSU’s offense fit his skills well.
Burrow as a Starter in 2018
Burrow won LSU’s starting quarterback job in 2018, elevating the Tigers’ offense. He passed for 2,894 yards with 16 touchdowns and 5 interceptions, completing 57.8% of his throws. While LSU went 10-3, Burrow showed promise entering 2019 with a year of experience under his belt.
Historic 2019 Season
In 2019, Joe Burrow enjoyed one of the greatest seasons ever by a college quarterback. He passed for an incredible 5,671 yards and an NCAA-record 60 touchdowns, completing 76.3% of his attempts. Burrow led LSU to a perfect 15-0 record and a national championship victory over Clemson.
He won the Heisman Trophy by a record margin and was named AP Player of the Year. His stellar play made him the consensus #1 pick for the 2020 NFL Draft. Burrow accomplished all of this in just one year as LSU’s starter after transferring from Ohio State.
Accomplishments at Each School
| School | Key Accomplishments |
|---|---|
| Ohio State | Appeared in 11 games as a backup (2015-2017) Completed 29 of 39 career passes for 2 TDs |
| LSU | Led Tigers to the 2019 national championship Won 2019 Heisman Trophy and AP Player of the Year Set NCAA record with 60 TD passes in 2019 |
Why Did Burrow Transfer from Ohio State?
Joe Burrow transferred from Ohio State to LSU prior to the 2018 season for a few key reasons:
- Opportunity to start: With Dwayne Haskins the new starter-in-waiting at OSU, Burrow saw a clearer path to starting at LSU.
- Better scheme fit: Burrow felt LSU’s spread offense aligned more closely with his skills as a passer and runner.
- Graduate and play immediately: By graduating from Ohio State in 3 years, Burrow could transfer and be immediately eligible rather than sitting out.
- Fresh start: Leaving Ohio State allowed Burrow a clean slate after being unable to beat out Barrett and Haskins on the depth chart.
Burrow took advantage of the NCAA’s graduate transfer rules to find a starting job and scheme fit at LSU. It proved to be an amazing decision, vaulting Burrow to stardom in 2019.
How Did Burrow Beat Out the Competition at LSU?
When Joe Burrow transferred to LSU, he faced stiff competition to win the starting job. Here is how Burrow ultimately beat out the other QBs:
- Accuracy and decision making: Burrow demonstrated superior accuracy, reading defenses, and protecting the football.
- Work ethic: Coaches raved about Burrow’s relentless work ethic in the weight room, film room, and on the practice field.
- Leadership: Burrow quickly emerged as an authoritative leader who inspired confidence in the team.
- Mobility: Burrow’s underrated running ability added a dual-threat dimension other LSU QBs lacked.
- Experience: With college game experience that others lacked, Burrow adjusted quickly to SEC competition.
Burrow’s all-around game, leadership abilities, and transfer experience proved vital in securing the LSU starting role in 2018.
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Conclusion
In summary, Joe Burrow took an unconventional path to becoming an elite college quarterback and eventual #1 NFL draft pick. After limited playing time as a backup at Ohio State from 2015-2017, he transferred to LSU looking for a fresh start.
Burrow beat out several quarterbacks to earn the starting job in 2018 based on his superior skills and leadership. In 2019, Burrow exploded onto the national scene with an all-time great season, leading LSU to an undefeated record and national title while winning the Heisman Trophy.
His legendary performance catapulted him to status as the top selection in the 2020 NFL Draft. Joe Burrow’s college football journey featured patience, perseverance, and an amazing breakthrough once he found the right opportunity at LSU. If Burrow can carry over his collegiate success, he is poised for an excellent NFL career as well.
Frequently Asked Questions
What years did Joe Burrow play at Ohio State?
Joe Burrow was on the Ohio State roster from 2015 through 2017. He redshirted in 2015 before serving as a backup quarterback in 2016 and 2017 behind starters J.T. Barrett and Dwayne Haskins.
How many games did Burrow play in at Ohio State?
Burrow appeared in a total of 11 games during the 2016 and 2017 seasons at Ohio State as a backup option. He attempted just 39 total passes across three seasons with the Buckeyes.
Why did Burrow graduate early from Ohio State?
Burrow graduated from Ohio State in just three years, in 2017. This allowed him to take advantage of the NCAA’s graduate transfer rules. By graduating early, Burrow could transfer to another school and be immediately eligible to play without sitting out a season.
What factors made LSU appealing when Burrow transferred?
Several factors drew Burrow to LSU when he elected to transfer from Ohio State: an opportunity to start right away, an offense suited to his skills, strong coaching/talent, and the chance to make his own legacy at a storied program.
How many passing yards and TDs did Burrow have in his Heisman 2019 season?
In 2019, Joe Burrow passed for an incredible 5,671 yards and set an NCAA record with 60 touchdown passes while leading LSU to a national title. It was one of the most dominant seasons ever by a college quarterback.
What bowl game did LSU and Burrow win the national championship in?
Joe Burrow and LSU defeated defending champions Clemson 42-25 in the 2020 College Football Playoff National Championship to complete a perfect 15-0 season and win the national title. Burrow passed for 463 yards and 5 TDs in the win.
Was Joe Burrow a 5-star or 4-star recruit?
Coming out of high school in Athens, Ohio, Joe Burrow was rated as a 4-star recruit in the class of 2015. He was the 8th best dual-threat QB prospect nationally and 250th overall recruit according to 247Sports Composite rankings.
What number did Joe Burrow wear at LSU?
After wearing #10 at Ohio State, Joe Burrow switched to the #9 jersey when he transferred to LSU in 2018. He wore #9 for his standout seasons as the Tigers’ starting quarterback in 2018 and 2019.
Who won the Heisman Trophy the year before Burrow?
In 2018, the Heisman Trophy was awarded to Oklahoma quarterback Kyler Murray. Joe Burrow followed by winning the 2019 Heisman in a record-setting landslide vote after his phenomenal season at LSU.
