Miller selects Ohio State, says “I’m an Ohio guy”
A few months ago at a press conference for high profile national football recruit and Lakota West High School linebacker Jordan Hicks, Tim May of the Columbus Dispatch received jeers when he asked if Hicks felt like he turned his back on Ohio State after selecting Texas.
Thursday, with another high-profile national recruit announcing – Wayne quarterback Braxton Miller – there were cheers when Ohio State was discussed. Miller, the No. 1 ranked QB in the Class of 2011 according to one national service and ranked No. 2 by another, selected Ohio State over Florida, Alabama, Notre Dame and Georgia before a throng of media and fans inside the Wayne Auditorium.
Said Miller: “I’m an Ohio guy.”
His arm says so too.
After announcing his decision, Miller announced the arrival of his newest tattoo – a Block O similar to that of current Buckeye QB Terrelle Pryor. Miller got the ink on his upper arm Wednesday night.
He’ll ink his name in February.
Miller becomes one of the jewel’s of Ohio State’s recruiting class that now numbers 12 and includes four of the top five seniors in the state (Centerville DL Michael Bennett, Canton McKinley DE Steve Miller and Toledo Whitmer DE Kenny Hayes are the others). The Buckeyes should bolt up the national recruiting class rankings as well.
Miller used words like “home” and “family” when he discussed why he chose the Buckeyes. He also expressed his appreciation that they hadn’t offered – and weren’t going to – another QB. There was speculation Glenville QB Cardale Jones was in the mix too.
“They told me halfway through my junior year that they weren’t going to go after anyone else until they heard from me,” Miller said. “I was like ‘Wow!’ I was their guy.”
Miller briefly flirted with Florida who entered the picture late, but the Gators – despite being in the top two – were never a real serious threat.
Florida already has a commitment from another highly ranked national recruit in Jeff Driskel. Miller has never been to the Gainesville campus either.
“Two weeks ago my family and I decided,” Miller said. “I liked Urban (Meyer) but it just came down to the fact that it was Ohio State. That was that.”
Miller has started at Wayne since the first game of his freshman year when he was thrust into the limelight against Colerain. Since then Miller has done nothing to disappoint.
Last season, en route to leading Wayne to the Division I playoffs, Miller completed 88-of-166 passes for 938 yards and nine TDs. He also had 112 carries for 467 yards and 18 TDs.
In 24 career games, Miller has completed 240-of-431 passes for 2,628 yards and 23 TDs. He’s also rushed for 1,004 yards and 29 TDs on 259 carries.
Under Miller’s control, Wayne is 20-4 in games he’s started.
Miller is the second big-time 2011 recruit from Dayton and the Greater Western Ohio Conference to commit to Ohio State (Bennett is the other). Buckeye fans hope he’s not the last either.
Springfield linebacker Trey DePriest is also on Ohio State’s radar. And he’s on Miller’s speed dial.
The two have been lifelong friends since growing up in Springfield and played youth football with each other up until high school.
DePriest has offers from Florida and Alabama too that he’s weighing. A decision isn’t imminent. Although a push from Miller might be.
DePriest was at the presser.
“Hopefully he’ll follow me and be my roommate someday,” Miller said. “I’m going to work him until he starts sweating.”
OSU fans can wipe their brows. B-Mill is a Buckeye.
BRAXTON MILLER RECRUITING PROFILE AND VIDEO
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