Ohio State QB Justin Fields declares for 2021 NFL Draft

Jan. 18 (UPI) -- Justin Fields will skip his senior season at Ohio State and enter the 2021 NFL Draft, the Buckeyes quarterback announced Monday on social media.

"My path to the Ohio State University was not a direct one, but I could not have asked for a better final destination," Fields wrote.

Fields started his college career in 2018 at Georgia before he transferred to Ohio State in 2019. He was a Heisman Trophy finalist and led Ohio State to a Big Ten championship in his first year as a starter.

Fields completed 67.2% of his throws for 3,273 yards, 41 touchdowns and three interceptions in 14 games in 2019. He also had 10 rushing touchdowns during his sophomore season.

He completed a school-record 70.2% of his throws for 2,100 yards, 22 touchdowns and six interceptions in eight games, and led the Buckeyes to the College Football Playoff National Championship game during his junior campaign.

He played through thumb and rib injuries in the Big Ten championship and College Football Playoff semifinal and title games.

"Growing up, my dream was to one day play the game that I love at the highest level," Fields wrote. "Now thanks to God's grace and mercy, along with the help of you all, I am in a position to turn that dream into reality."

Fields is expected to be a first-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.

Alabama defeats Ohio State for college football championship

Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban celebrates with offensive lineman Alex Leatherwood (L) and other players after a 52-24 victory over the Ohio State Buckeyes in the NCAA National Championship football game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla., on Monday. The win gave Saban his sixth national championship victory. Photo by Hans Deryk/UPI | License Photo

Saban is carried off the field after the game. Photo by Hans Deryk/UPI | License Photo

Alabama's Phidarian Mathis (L) and Christian Barmore (C) celebrate sacking Ohio State's Justin Fields. Photo by Hans Deryk/UPI | License Photo

Alabama's Najee Harris (L) runs into Ohio State's Shaun Wade (R) and Josh Proctor. Photo by Hans Deryk/UPI | License Photo

Alabama's DeVonta Smith (R) makes a reception in front of Ohio State's Tuf Borland during a touchdown. Smith was named Offensive Player of the Game. Photo by Hans Deryk/UPI | License Photo

Football fans adhere to COVID-19 restrictions in the seating area. Photo by Hans Deryk/UPI | License Photo

The game was almost postponed due to COVID-19 issues with the Ohio State program. Photo by Hans Deryk/UPI | License Photo

Alabama's Mac Jones (R) runs past Ohio State's Taron Vincent (6) for short yardage. Jones completed 36 of 45 passes for 464 yards and five scores in the win, also setting a record for most yardage ever in the CFP finale. Photo by Hans Deryk/UPI | License Photo

Alabama's Miller Forristall congratulates Harris after a 26-yard touchdown. Harris delivered three touchdowns in the victory, overall. Photo by Hans Deryk/UPI | License Photo

College football fans watch and cheer during the game. Photo by Hans Deryk/UPI | License Photo

Jones (C) evades Ohio State's Jonathon Cooper with blocking from Deonte Brown. Photo by Hans Deryk/UPI | License Photo

Saban has said that early in his career, he did not aspire to coaching. Photo by Hans Deryk/UPI | License Photo

Smith (L) is upended by Ohio State's defense. Photo by Hans Deryk/UPI | License Photo

College football fans watch the game while social distancing. Photo by Hans Deryk/UPI | License Photo

Ohio State's Jeremy Ruckert (R) makes a fingertip catch to set up a touchdown drive in front of Alabama's Christian Harris. Photo by Hans Deryk/UPI | License Photo

Ohio State's head coach Ryan Day (L) and Saban share a fist bump at midfield during warmups. Photo by Hans Deryk/UPI | License Photo

Ohio State players enter the field. Photo by Hans Deryk/UPI | License Photo

Alabama fans arrive with COVID-19 precautions in place for the football game. Photo by Hans Deryk/UPI | License Photo

Cooper Stuckey, 7, of Springfield, Ohio, plays with a football outside Hard Rock Stadium before the game. Photo by Hans Deryk/UPI | License Photo