Braxton Miller Huber Heights Wayne

Quarterback Braxton Miller ended the speculation today about the next step in his football career after committing to play for Ohio State surrounded by a crowd of people consisting of family members, coaches, teammates and media members. Ranked number one in the country for his position, Miller settled on becoming a Buckeye after choosing from a short list that included the Florida Gators and OSU. The young phenom also considered offers from Alabama, Georgia, Notre Dame, USC and a host of other top schools in the nation.

At 6’2” and 200 pounds, this double threat quarterback hails from Huber Heights Wayne and amassed 450 yards on the ground with 18 touchdowns in addition to his throwing record of 1,100 yards and nine touchdowns during the 2009 season. Jim Tressel has been recruiting Miller since he started high school and it is easy to see why. Not only does he possess advanced passing skills despite his tender age but he has shown the ability to gain yardage by carrying the ball as well.

It is always possible that current Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor will lay down outstanding statistics and turn pro by entering the NFL draft at the end of the season but that is unlikely. Should that occur, however, Miller would have a shot of starting as a freshman despite the stiff competition from Kenny Guiton, Joe Bauserman and Taylor Graham. Bauserman has the edge as far as experience goes but Guiton made considerable advances this spring as everyone saw in the Scarlet vs Gray Spring Game. Graham is another new kid on the block. In the event that Pryor plays out his college career, Miller will likely join the team as a red-shirt and extend his eligibility by a year. That would mean he would spend 2011 on the sidelines with a clipboard learning the ropes.

Signing Miller is a major coup for the team and he is the twelfth player to join this recruiting class which is shaping up to be quite impressive. Like Mike Brewster recruiting in 2007, Miller will be active in helping the Buckeyes round out the remainder of the 2011 freshman roster. One target is Springfield linebacker stand out, and best friend of Miller, Trey DePriest. The Buckeyes also have their sights set on defensive backs Ron Tanner from Columbus Eastmoor and Dondi Kirby from Monroeville Gateway in Pennsylvania, cornerback Jabari Gorman from Miami Monsignor Pace in Florida and inside linebacker Evan Spencer of Vernon Hills. Offensively, the Buckeyes are looking at guards Angelo Mangiro from New Jersey, tackle Aundrey Walker of Cleveland Glenville and tight end Nick Vannett of Westerville Central. Time will tell how the remainder of the roster will eventually look but the Buckeyes have already scored big with Braxton Miller joining the class today.