Braxton Miller: What Should Be Expected Of Him This Year?

Braxton Miller is going to have to have what kind season for Ohio State?

There is just over a week until college football is back and we all witness what OSU’s offense looks like with potentially two QBs and a very talented former QB turned athlete as an H-Back. There are plenty of changes with Ohio State football and specifically with Braxton Miller this season. He has a new position, number, and is now healthy after missing all of last season.

Now that he will need to rely upon other players to get the ball in his hands, can he still have the same sort of impact like he did when was a QB?

What should be expected of the former QB in his last season of college ball? That is what the FoS team debated in their weekly question.

Ric McElroy

I thought it was a very smart move on his part to go to wide out. He has a great running style and is blessed with speed and moves to make it work. I just hope he has good enough hands to fit the bill. I really look for him to have a good season.

He should provide a good target and elusive target for either J.T. Barrett or Cardale Jones to throw to. Between he, Jalin Marshall, Michael Thomas, Johnnie Dixon, Torrance Gibson, and the rest of the Buckeye receiving corp, they should drive opposing defensive coordinators crazy. Then throwing in Ezekiel Elliott and their running attack should make the offense very fun to watch!

Jay Frierson

I think it is a role that he will finally understand and be effective in. I believe that Urban sees him as Percy Harvin 2.0, only not a pass-catcher. For his potential future in the NFL, it was definitely a smart move because I don’t see him getting drafted or playing as anything else than an athlete. We see how Pryor finally understood he had to make the transition in order to make it in the NFL.

He will for sure drive opposing defensive coordinators crazy as they won’t know if he is in there as a passer or runner. I can see the Buckeyes using a lot of “Wildcat-like” packages with him and maybe a little triple-option as well. I don’t want to say he’s the x-factor, but he will play a big part in their success this year and definitely add a little something different to the offense.

Nick Dudukovich

Anything less than a breakout season from Braxton Miller at the H-back spot will be a disappointment. Yes, he’s learning a new position, but when you’re a freak athlete in college, you can mask the little things that you must master to make in the NFL. With the recent leg injury to Noah Brown, Miller will even have more opportunities to make plays. If he isn’t a superstar at H-back, I’ll be stunned.

Additionally, Miller needs no motivation to have a breakout season. The Shield is calling, and the Wayne Hubert Heights product undoubtedly wants to be a first-round pick.

Justin Blum

I think it might be tough for Miller as far as the wide out part of the h-back position. He might struggle against defensive backs, running routes or even getting hit every play, every inch of the way. I think Ohio State should get him hand-offs, pitches, screens, more of the flip side of the h-back coin.

Ryan Rosko

This move very much improves Miller’s ability to make an impact this season, in addition to benefiting the team. Not being a QB now will give him that extra experience he will need to have a chance in the NFL.

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I expect him to be that game changer, and the experience he gains this season will benefit him. Prior to the move, he could have been seen as a mid to late round pick, but now I would be comfortable if everything goes well with him as a possible consideration in the third round.

Miller is what Percy Harvin was to the University of Florida when coach Urban Meyer was there. I know he will be used in plenty of situations through the H-Back role as a WR, but I would not underestimate the amount of plays he is involved with as a RB in some capacity.

Statistically it is tough to predict what he could Miller will do given all the other talented players around him. However, being that he is a bigger Harvin on coach Meyer’s team, he will definitely make some big plays. Miller may struggle early on, but he will not fail. When the season is all done, and we look back at their season as a whole and individually, Miller is going to have a good season.

Kris Grimes

Braxton Miller made the best move he could for his post collegiate career. I am of the belief that his throwing shoulder isn’t right and he lacks the throwing strength he once had. I’m sure his friends, family, and even Urban Meyer encouraged him to make the move to improve his NFL Draft stock. Braxton’s fast, he’s elusive, and has the potential to be quite the weapon for Ohio State. He could translate that into the NFL and fall into the category of a Percy Harvin. Just get him the ball and let him make plays.

Braxton’s a former Big 10 player of the year and a former Heisman candidate. However, there were serious doubts about his QB skills translating to the NFL. I think he took note of former Buckeye Terrell Pryor’s move to WR. The two are very similar in their freakish athletic ability, but yet shared the questionable future of being QB’s in the NFL. Therefore, Braxton decided to make this move to WR/H-Back now, and do it at the college level. The transition might be a lot easier going against college teams vs pro teams like Pryor is attempting.

In the end, it’s just a smart move for Braxton. Whether he still wants to be a QB or not, having his WR/H-Back skills displayed on game tape will give NFL teams something more to look at and consider. Whether he’s running the ball out of the backfield, or catching a pass across the middle, he has the potential to do great things. The season ending injury to WR Noah Brown only opens the door wider. Ohio State is in need of a play-maker, and Braxton Miller has every skill to be that guy.

Next: Ohio State: 4 Buckeyes Named To ESPN's Preseason All American Team

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