Will Braxton Miller regret staying at Ohio State? (Video)

Ohio State quarterback Braxton Miller once entertained visions of holding up a Heisman Trophy. Now he has to wonder about his place on the Buckeyes’ QB depth chart. Was staying in Columbus a mistake for the former starter?

The old football saying goes, you can’t lose your job to injury. Unfortunately, in college football starting positions are not jobs, and injuries are an all-too-common part of the game. Braxton Miller knows both of these facts all too well.

More from Big Ten

After a fantastic junior season in 2013 (somewhat plagued by nagging injuries), Miller was thought to be one of the top Heisman Trophy candidates in the 2014 season. That was cut short before the year even began, as he suffered a season-ending injury to his troublesome right shoulder.

His exit opened the door for two more quarterbacks – J.T. Barrett and Cardale Jones – both of whom played a big part in taking the Buckeyes all the way to a national championship in 2014.

After the dust settled, the questions began to arise about the Buckeyes’ quarterback rotation in 2015. Was Jones the anointed starter before the season even began? Would Barrett be given the job based on his leadership through 90 percent of the season until he was injured?

Most importantly, what about Braxton Miller? Was he now done as a Buckeye?

Speculation swirled around for much of the offseason about Miller’s upcoming decision. Many figured him to transfer and play out the remainder of his eligibility with a school where he’d be a guaranteed starter. It wouldn’t have been the most surprising of moves.

Finally, earlier in July, Miller formally announced that he was staying at Ohio State. It was now official, Urban Meyer had not one, not two, but three potential starting quarterbacks.

Now the question begs, did Miller make the right choice or will he regret using his final year of eligibility to potentially sit on the bench?

It’s hard to answer that without looking at the distinct possibility that Miller may line up at a position other than quarterback. He has shown exceptional running ability and speed, so other skill positions on offense wouldn’t be out of the question. But if he remains steadfast in his desire to stand under center, then he may have hindered his ability to give NFL scouts one last look.

Most believe, and it’s probably true, that unless there is a sudden loss of ability shown on the part of Cardale Jones during fall camp that he will end up being the Buckeyes’ starter. Should that come to fruition, then it leaves Miller and Barrett to vie for the backup job (a job that has not been without work at Ohio State of late, mind you).

Miller is an intelligent person, and no doubt has his ear to the ground about everything surrounding his situation. If he made the decision to stay knowing he was battling two other potential (and just as talented) starters, then it would only make sense that Urban Meyer put an idea in his head that it wouldn’t be a wasted season.

Live Feed

Ohio State Football: How Denzel Burke has bounced back so far this season /

Scarlet and Game

Ohio State basketball: Buckeyes conference schedule is setScarlet and Game

Ohio State Football rolling into form at the perfect timeScarlet and Game

How Ohio State football has done historically versus new Big 12Scarlet and Game

Ohio State Football: We need to see "Killer Ryan Day" at South BendScarlet and Game

Ohio State Football vs. Notre Dame Prediction, Odds, Spread and Over/Under for College Football Week 4Scarlet and Game

If Miller wins the starting job back, then he’s only got his physical health to hold him back. He’s already shown that he can win games and put a team on his back on the way to victory. Likewise, if he’s the second string QB, he’s merely a Beamer-ball sack away from stepping back in to the number one spot very early on.

Even if Miller is third in the rotation, he’ll get his time on the field. Meyer uses his weapons and takes a Belichick approach to making players versatile and significant. Miller has too much talent for Meyer to just let him ride the pine for 12 games.

The only regret Miller may have in his decision to stay is when the NFL Draft rolls around. His chances of going in a high round will be greatly reduced if he’s not playing a lot of quarterback, that is unless he takes the top off defenses from a wide receiver or backfield position.

Braxton Miller obviously feels he is in the right place at the right time, and making a move to another program had more downside than up for the 5th-year senior.

Next: 10 Teams Who Will Miss Their Starting QBs

More from Saturday Blitz

Home/Big Ten