Dwayne Haskins Jr. could have been on the other sideline at Ohio Stadium this weekend.

The redshirt freshman originally committed to Maryland before reconsidering late and joining Ohio State’s 2016 recruiting class. The Terrapins already have lost their top two quarterbacks to season-ending injuries, so it’s not a big stretch to project that Haskins would have been the Terrapins’ quarterback against the Buckeyes on Saturday if he hadn’t changed his mind.

“I guess I never thought about it,” Ohio State quarterback J.T. Barrett said Tuesday night, “but I bet there’s definitely something (extra) there for him since he was committed to Maryland.”

Haskins’ big arm has tantalized Buckeyes fans, and his play in a backup role has only increased the anticipation. Haskins has completed 22 of 33 passes for 321 yards and three touchdowns, with an interception against UNLV that was returned for a touchdown as the only major blemish.

Ohio State coach Urban Meyer said that because Haskins went to a smaller high school, it took him awhile last year to acclimate to the demands of the college game.

“This year, he has been outstanding,” Meyer said. “He has really grown up and he’s still growing up as a person and quarterback. Game experience is priceless for a guy like that, and he has really handled it very well.”

Next year’s competition with Haskins, Joe Burrow and perhaps Tate Martell to be the starter will be quite interesting.

“I think that room is getting stronger and we’re building that depth,” quarterbacks coach Ryan Day said.

Haskins’ arm is not a question mark, but it takes more than that to be the quarterback Ohio State wants. Day said he is encouraged by Haskins’ growth in “seeing his reads and learning to strain a little bit better.”

Barrett said Haskins has grown in his understanding of the role of every player on each play. He added that Haskins also has been challenged to be more of a vocal leader.

“I think that’s something he didn’t have to do much in high school,” Barrett said. “He shied away from it earlier, but now he’s trying to embrace that.”

These are all typical steps for a quarterback. The Buckeyes are just happy he’s doing it for them and not against them.

“He’s a great kid,” Day said. “He’s learning and he’s willing to learn. We’re really glad we have him.

“He has come a long way. (He) still has a ways to go, but he’s growing up every day and we’re proud of that for him. He’s got a high ceiling.”

brabinowitz@dispatch.com

@brdispatch