Braxton Miller announces he's switching to H-back/receiver

By foxsports
Published

By Steven Lassan

Ohio State’s quarterback battle is officially down to J.T. Barrett and Cardale Jones. Braxton Miller was expected to push Barrett and Jones for the starting job in the fall, but in an interview with Sports Illustrated’s Pete Thamel, the senior has indicated he will shift to receiver/H-back in the fall. 

“For the most part, it’s going to be H-Back and punt return,” Miller told Sports Illustrated. “It’s a long process to get back totally to throwing and throwing every day. …God blessed me with a lot of talent and different opportunities. I’m going to have fun with that and still score a lot of touchdowns and help the team out and be dominant at that.”

Although Miller was one of the Big Ten’s top quarterbacks prior to his injury, recovering from shoulder surgery complicated his return under center, and the Buckeyes have two talented and proven options in Jones and Barrett. Miller missed all of 2014 due to injury and was limited in spring recovering from shoulder surgery.

Miller’s future in the NFL was at receiver or running back and the transition in 2015 allows the senior to grow into the receiver/H-back position and develop before reaching the next level. 

Miller’s shift to receiver adds another versatile weapon in coach Urban Meyer’s arsenal. The Buckeyes had one of the top receiving corps in the Big Ten headed into 2015, and Miller’s playmaking ability adds to a group that already features Michael Thomas, Jalin Marshall, Corey Smith and Dontre Wilson.

With Miller officially transitioning to receiver, Jones and Barrett will compete to take the first snap of the season. While the decision gets a little easier for Meyer, both Jones and Barrett are capable of contending for the Heisman Trophy and leading Ohio State to a national championship. Could there be packages for both players to get on the field at the same time? Or perhaps Jones starts with a package of plays for Barrett? That's the task for Meyer and co-offensive coordinators Tim Beck and Ed Warinner. 

Ohio State’s quarterback battle was college football’s biggest storyline headed into fall practice. Even though Miller has moved to receiver, the battle between Barrett and Jones is just beginning. Regardless of who starts under center, the Buckeyes are loaded for another run for the national title. And the addition of Miller to the receiving corps just adds another weapon for Barrett or Jones in the passing attack. 

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