ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith demonstrated Friday morning that he should probably stick to covering the NBA.
While attempting to break down the 2019 NFL Draft on Friday’s episode of “First Take.” Smith stated that former Ohio State quarterback Dwayne Haskins was “more of a runner than a thrower.” Yes, really. (RELATED: Ohio State Quarterback Dwayne Haskins Tweets And Deletes Photo Of Himself In A Giants Uniform)
People shouldn’t watch @FirstTake
Dwayne Haskins had 50 TDs, almost 5,000 passing yard and only 1.4 yards per carry but he’s “more of a runner than a passer”?pic.twitter.com/hKKvxAvveb
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) February 8, 2019
Smith’s inane comments came during a segment debating whether Oklahoma’s Kyler Murray or Haskins would be the better pick for a franchise in need of a quarterback.
“Haskins is no joke as well. I know he’s bigger [than Murray]. He can make all the requisite throws on the NFL level,” Smith said. “I just find him to be more of a runner than a thrower. I could be wrong about that.”
PASADENA, CA – JANUARY 01: Dwayne Haskins #7 of the Ohio State Buckeyes looks to make a pass during the first half in the Rose Bowl Game presented by Northwestern Mutual at the Rose Bowl on January 1, 2019 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)
The statistics show that Smith is indeed wrong.
Haskins threw for 4,831 yards and 50 touchdowns for Ohio State in 2018, leading the NCAA in both categories. Haskins ran for just 108 yards and averaged 1.4 yards a carry this past season. Haskins is a conventional pocket passer with a cannon for an arm.
College football is the greatest sport in the history of the world. Smith should watch more of it.