Braxton Miller has been the subject of transfer rumors since January, but a revealing conversation between Eleven Warriors and Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith suggests Miller might be staying in Columbus after all.
"No. He's not going anywhere," Smith told Eleven Warriors via Eric Seger. "Where's the rumors? He's never said that."
MORE: Complacency won't hurt Buckeyes | Seeing is believing with Cardale | Big Ten coach rankings
Miller missed last season with a torn labrum, and he did not speak with the media during spring practice. Miller also graduated from Ohio State in December and enrolled for classes for the spring semester. That lends support to Smith’s claim. If Miller wanted to transfer, then he could have done that before spring practice started at another school. Miller chose to stay.
"My conversation with him was well before spring ball. He's working out in the weight room and we got into a conversation and I just asked him, I said, 'You good? All these rumors out there, you good? You need some help if you want to transfer?'" Smith told Eleven Warriors. "He said, 'Mr. Smith, I'm not going anywhere. I love it here.'”
On April 13, Ohio State coach Urban Meyer said Miller’s rehab continues to progress.
“We are pleased with what’s going on,” Meyer said. “I’ve known Braxton a long time, and I talk to him almost every day. He’s saying it’s going well.”
So while Miller isn’t talking and the Everett Golson transfer sweepstakes continues, the very-real possibility Miller stays at Ohio State and battles with Cardale Jones and J.T. Barrett for the starting job for the defending national champions is coming into focus.
BOWL PICKS: Ohio State aims to defend title | MORE: Preseason Top 25 | Buckeyes dominate Top 50 player list
One thing’s for sure. Miller, who is 28-8 as a starter and led the Buckeyes to a 12-0 record in 2012, still is a hit with the fans in Columbus. Consider this photo from Student Appreciation Day.
