As good as Braxton Miller was in switching from undefeated Ohio State quarterback to NFL receiver prospect, he’s eager to absorb more knowledge from the best at the position. He’s already done that with Cris Carter.
Next up, Chad Johnson.
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After this weekend’s draft is over — Miller is practically a lock to go on the second day — they’re planning to make good on their connection through a mutual trainer and a pair of tweets two weeks ago.
“I haven’t (met with Johnson) yet,’’ Miller told Sporting News from Chicago on Wednesday. “But I will soon.’’
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To his credit, Miller didn’t take the bait when asked if he had a team he’d like to take him — even though he grew up in Springfield, Ohio, and was a star and a beloved player for the Buckeyes. And that he was a big fans of Johnson, the self-nicknamed Ochocinco, during his Bengals days.
“Yeah, I was young, 8 or 9," Miller said, laughing. He added: “Chad Johnson, the way he ran his routes, I could definitely use that. He was a beast. The way he played, the fun he had, the dances — but the way he knew defenses, the way he got open. I’d love to do that.’’
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Johnson, now five years into retirement, wasn’t shy about wanting to connect with Miller, if his tweet indicates anything.
Just talked to the kid @BraxtonMiller5, he's coming down to Miami to work w/ the boy, feet & routes gonna be 🔥🔥🔥 in rookie camp.
— Chad Johnson (@ochocinco) April 15, 2016
Supaaaaaaa!!!! 🔑 https://t.co/7980tz608C
— BRAXTON MILLER (@BraxtonMiller5) April 15, 2016
Carter imparted his wisdom to his fellow Ohio State product in February in a workout near Carter’s home in South Florida. While Miller said they haven’t worked out since, the two have stayed in touch. “I definitely picked up some stuff I was doing wrong,’’ Miller said of their get-together.
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Having those two stars on one’s teaching resume should answer a lot of questions about how good Miller might be at his relatively new position, but the fact he’s expected to be picked as early as he is tells the story even better.
Miller is the draft’s ninth-rated wide receiver according to NFL.com, indicating his learning curve isn’t as steep as it would seem. He always felt the position change — famously necessitated by the 2014 national title Ohio State won behind J.T. Barrett and Cardale Jones during the year he missed because of shoulder surgery — was going to be successful and would set him up for an NFL career.
“I’m very confident," he said of his transition at the next level. “I’ve been playing all kinds of positions all my life. I’ve moved around as a receiver, runner, quarterback, everywhere. I was ready for it."
He also plans to seek guidance from other quarterbacks-turned-receivers, such as former Steelers receiver Hines Ward and current Packers receiver Randall Cobb.
Miller was in Chicago before the draft to meet and greet fans at Courtyard by Marriott’s Draft Town promotion in Grant Park. He’s not one of the prospects who will be in the green room Thursday, and he’ll be watching at home in Ohio (and, in turn, watched by ESPN). There has been speculation teams will grab him late in the first round, based on strong showings at the Senior Bowl, the Combine, Ohio State’s pro day and individual workouts.
“A few teams have said it might happen," Miller said. “You never know. I’m going to be happy no matter what happens, happy to have a chance to play in the NFL."
And, soon after that happens, to have a chance to have Chad Johnson teach him even more.