Justin Zwick Justin Zwick ( born May 12 , 1983 ) is a former American football quarterback who played college football for the Ohio State Buckeyes from 2002 to 2006 . He played professionally with the Columbus Destroyers in the now defunct Arena Football League . High school career . Zwick played his freshman year of high school football at Orrville High School in Orrville , Ohio . While there , Zwick ' s team won a state championship his freshman year . Following his sophomore year , he transferred to Massillon Washington High School in Massillon , Ohio , where he also played basketball and ran track . While at Massillon , he played with future Buckeye teammate Devin Jordan . His senior year in Massillon was impressive , throwing for 3 , 821 yards and 40 touchdown s . His 110 career passing touchdowns puts him at third all - time in Ohio high school history , and at the time of his graduation , his 10 , 500 career passing yards was the state record . He also still holds the Massillon Tigers record for passing yards in a game - 407 , vs . Javon Ringer led Chaminade - Julienne his senior year , and passing yards in a season - 3 , 281 , also his senior year . He once held the record at Orrville High School for passing yards in a season , with 2 , 556 yards his sophomore year , but that has since been passed . Zwick earned several accolades following his senior year , including a consensus All - Ohio selection , being named the Associated Press Co - Offensive Player of the Year , appearing on almost every All - American team , and garnering an Elite 11 invitation . College career . Zwick went to Ohio State as one of the highest rated quarterbacks in the nation coming out of high school . He was redshirted his freshman year , with Craig Krenzel and Scott McMullen already ahead of him at the quarterback position . Following the 2003 season , Zwick was expected by most to be the replacement to the departing Krenzel . He began the 2004 season , his sophomore year of eligibility , as the starter , and started the first six games of the year . During the game against Iowa , Zwick was forced to leave with an injury , opening the door for Troy Smith . Smith ' s exciting style of play kept him in the starting role , rendering Zwick to the backup position . He would return to the starter ' s role for the Alamo Bowl following Smith ' s suspension from the team , and led the Buckeyes to a dominating 33 - 7 victory over the Oklahoma State Cowboys . Zwick completed 17 of his 27 passing attempts for 189 yards in the bowl game . The following season , controversy abounded in Columbus over which player should be the starting quarterback . Zwick started the season opener against Miami ( OH ) , because Smith was still suspended , and the following game against Texas . Many fans feel that Ohio State lost that game because of their indecisiveness at the quarterback position , with Zwick and Smith subbing in and out for most of the game . After the loss against Texas , Smith was named the team ' s full - time starter . Zwick would appear in four more games that season , after the Buckeyes had comfortable leads and the games were well in hand . Professional career . Zwick got his first professional experience with the Indianapolis Colts , who invited him to mini - camp on a tryout basis . Zwick got an opportunity to work with his idol , Peyton Manning , but was not offered a contract following this chance . He was subsequently signed by the Carolina Panthers on June 11 , 2007 , between their mini - camp and training camp . However , he was released on July 9 , prior to the start of training camp . On February 9 , 2008 , the Columbus Destroyers of the Arena Football League signed Zwick to their roster . Several weeks later , the Destroyers announced intentions to move Zwick to the practice squad , but he was given an outright release on February 24 . Just two days later , though , the team signed Zwick to play as the backup to starting quarterback Matt Nagy .