Report: Ohio State QB Braxton Miller Changing Position
After deciding to stick with the Buckeyes, Braxton Miller will reportedly change positions. According to SI.com, Miller will move to H-Back, or a hybrid running back-receiver for the National Champions. He told the website in an interview Thursday night that he plans to take “80% of the time during training camp at receiver and 20% with the quarterbacks.”
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For the most part, it’s going to be H-Back and punt return. It’s a long process to get back totally to throwing and throwing every day. This is the smarter thing for right now, 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.”
Even after loosing Devin Smith to the NFL Draft, the Buckeyes are just as deep at the receiver position, prior to Miller switching over. The 6’2 Miller will join senior Corey Smith and junior Mike Thomas. Jalin Marshall will also be a featured player in the receiving game for Ohio State. During his time as the Buckeye’s quarterback, Miller looked like he was on his way to NFL stardom. His combination of speed and versatility earned him two top ten Heisman finalist spots. He currently has over 3,000 rushing yards in his college career to go with over 5,000 passing.
Take a look at Millers’ speed and versatility in this 2013 tape against Wisconsin, courtesy of our friends at Draft Breakdown.
“Braxton Miller can play wide receiver as long as he wants to play it,” says Ohio State receivers coach Zach Smith. “His speed, strength, talent, commitment and, really, lifestyle will allow him to be like Joey Galloway. It’s going to be a matter of how quickly he grows into the position, but the sky is the limit for him.”
The emergence of both J.T. Barrett and Cardale Jones throughout Ohio States run to the National Championship led to a logjam at the quarterback position. Miller, who has injured his shoulder labrum twice in his career, took a back seat for the run after the 2013 Orange Bowl. College Football Playoff sensation Cardale Jones is expected to win the starting job over J.T. Barrett heading into the 2015 campaign. The Buckeyes will attempt to repeat their Championship season when they open against Virginia Tech and host Hawaii for their home opener.