Play Of J.T. Barrett Signals Braxton Miller Should Declare For NFL Draft

Sep 6, 2014; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Braxton Miller (5) against the Virginia Tech Hokies at Ohio Stadium. Virginia Tech defeated Ohio State 35-21. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

Buckeye Nation loves Braxton Miller, but his time wearing the Scarlet and Gray could be coming to an end with the emergence of redshirt freshman J.T. Barrett.

That was never more evident than last night, when Barrett looked like the Big Ten Conference Player of the Year en route to spanking Sparty in East Lansing in front of a national television audience.

While there’s a lot of love for Miller, here’s why this should be Barrett’s team moving forward:

1) First and foremost, Barrett plays great

Barrett’s already a better passer than Miller. This season Barrett has completed 64.4 percent of his passes for 26 touchdowns and seven interceptions. Miler never completed more than 63.5 percent of his passes, and that came during his junior season.

As a freshman, Miler completed 54.1 percent of his passes, and followed that by completing 58.3 as a sophomore.

Nov 8, 2014; East Lansing, MI, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback J.T. Barrett (16) runs the ball away from Michigan State Spartans linebacker Ed Davis (43) during the first quarter at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

2) Nobody can run like Miller, but Barrett’s can hold his own

The passing numbers show that slinging the ball through the air isn’t Miller’s game, but when he’s healthy, he’s the best rushing quarterback in the nation.

However, Barrett can also run, and while he may not be “The Matrix,” ï¿½J.T. can tuck and run–just ask Michigan State defensive back Montae Nicholson–the player Barrett ran away from on that 55-yard rushing gem Saturday night.

3) It’s a scholarship spot

Barrett could be the Conference Player of the Year, could you imagine a scenario where Urban Meyer tells him to take a spot on the bench?

The Bucks also have Cardale Jones and Stephen Collier on scholarship while the No. 3 athlete in the country, Torrance Gibson, will certainly seek his shot under center in the near future.

Bucknuts.com publisher Dan Rubin doesn’t envision the Buckeyes being too eager to keep Miller on scholarship, via The Bucknuts 90:

"“That’s as scholarship spot. It’s not just you bring someone back, you have to bring Braxton back and then say, Ok, that’s more than taking a freshman next year that you’ve recruited for x number of years. That’s what your saying because you are going to take a roster spot for him. They’re not going to do that, as you know, Urban’s mentality well enough.”"

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4) The NFL is probably Braxton’s best bet

Does Miller still have more to prove as a Buckeye? The answer is obviously yes, because he’s never won a national title. But at what point does Miller need to do what’s best for himself?

He has an injury history and will always be a hit away from not only seeing his NFL Draft stock sink, but a potential pro career put in jeopardy.

Rubin added, “I think he needs to get to a place where he doesn’t take many hits before he gets his next check.”

Plus, could one more college season elevate Miller into a first, second, or even a third-round pick? It’s ï¿½unlikely with his injury history. Plus, he slated as a fourth or fifth round selection had he come out last season.

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