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Ohio State: Analyzing Braxton Miller, The Wide Receiver

By Joe Russo

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With news breaking yesterday that Braxton Miller will be moving to wide receiver for his final season at Ohio State, one of the nation’s most dangerous offenses just got even scarier.

Miller, who already has two Big Ten Offense Player of the Year and Big Ten MVP awards to his credit, has multiple Ohio State records and can still achieve a couple more at his new position. He only needs 504 yards and 1 touchdowns to pass Art Schlichter for the lead in total offense and the most total touchdowns in school history.

"“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.”"

Questions will certainly begin about Miller’s ability to make the transition, both mentally and physically. There will be many that wonder if he can remain as competitive and as focused as he was throwing passes now that he has to catch them.

But for Miller, this is far and away his best opportunity to stay on the field to finally win a conference title and a bowl game.

The 6’2″, 215 pounds Miller will be a bigger wide receiver. We’ve all seen his ability to break tackles and will his way to extra yards, so it’s easy to imagine Miller being able to box out defensive backs and muscle through for tough catches.

Nov 23, 2013; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Braxton Miller (5) runs the ball and is tackled by Indiana Hoosiers safety Mark Murphy (37) and linebacker Forisse Hardin (4) in the second half of the game at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowksi-USA TODAY Sports

What should really get Buckeye fans excited is Miller’s breakaway speed now being utilized in space. He holds the Ohio State record for the longest run by a quarterback and has shown that he is one of the nation’s most elusive runners in space.

If anyone will find a way to take advantage of Miller’s athletic prowess, it’s Urban Meyer.

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Additionally, Miller will provide some depth in the return game. Jalin Marshall performed well in that role in 2014, but had issues with fumbles at key moments. Miller can potentially allow Marshall to focus full time on being a receiver and put his own speed to use in the open field. Can you imagine an opposing special teams coach having to decide on kickoffs to send the ball towards Jalin Marshall or Miller?

Running Back wasn’t going to be an option with Heisman hopeful Ezekiel Elliot in the backfield with Curtis Samuel and Dontre Wilson. As good as Miller is, Urban Meyer won’t take touches away from the backs he trust, especially not one like Zeke that carried Ohio State to a title.

Wide Receiver, however, was a major question mark heading into the 2015 season after Devin Smith and Evan Spencer graduated. Now, the wide receiver corp gets another play-maker that offers the type of deep ball potential that would have been missing after Smith got drafted in the second round.

Dec 7, 2013; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Braxton Miller (5) runs the ball during the third quarter of the 2013 Big 10 Championship game against the Michigan State Spartans at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

Miller compliments the bigger Michael Thomas and smaller Corey Brown by bringing a speed element neither truly bring to the table.

The secondary fallout is that now it is a two man battle for the quarterback spot in the scarlet and gray. It’s a tough choice Urban Meyer is lucky to agonize over for sure. It is a discussion for another article, but a two man race is easier to sort for Meyer than a three way race between J.T. Barrett, Cardale Jones, and Miller.

With the accolades that all three have earned, Miller’s position switch begins to provide some clarity.

As long as Miller can stay healthy, his move to wide receiver will only bolster an already potent offensive attack for the Ohio State Buckeyes. I’m sure there are some Big Ten defensive coordinators already losing sleep over the news.

Next: Ohio State Football: Nick Bosa Commits To Buckeyes

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