Here we go again.
Just yesterday, Urban Meyer was addressing the medical status of Braxton Miller moving forward. Around the same time, Miller took to Twitter to give a positive update on the health of this throwing shoulder, the dinged wing that forced him to miss the entire 2014 season and opened the door for J.T. Barrett and, ultimately, Cardale Jones to shine. And to create a three-man quarterback competition -- or will it be a three-man?
First, Miller’s tweet that eventually got the rumor mill cranked up again:
Successful check up/visit w Kevin & Andrews! 😁.
— BRAXTON MILLER (@BraxtonMiller5) July 2, 2015
That was fine, until the Columbus Dispatch asked via the social media website what that update meant for his future. “In response to a question from The Dispatch about what it means for his future, Miller wrote back that he expects to announce his immediate plans next week,” Tim May of the Columbus newspaper wrote.
And that was all it took to get the transfer speculation -- some would label it ridiculous -- renewed anew. The man connected to Alabama and Florida State and Oregon in transfer rumors months ago is now the subject of yet another round of speculation thanks to eight little words: “expects to announce his immediate plans next week.”
Miller himself stated in late January at a celebration for Ohio State’s 2014 national championship that “we’ve got another year.” His head coach, on more than one occasion, emphatically stated Miller will return for his senior season, as has his head coach and athletic director. The latter, in fact, reemphasized that stance just today.
Braxton Miller told @TIM_MAYsports he'll announce his plans next week. Ohio St AD Gene Smith told me today he expects Miller to stay at OSU
— Adam Rittenberg (@ESPNRittenberg) July 2, 2015
If Miller did indeed decide to transfer from the Buckeyes for what will be his final season of college football, wouldn’t it have made sense for him to do it before spring practice? Sure, he couldn’t have participated because of the ongoing rehab to his injured shoulder, but he could’ve begun the process of absorbing an entirely new offense and get acclimated to his new situation. Now we’re supposed to believe that, a month before the start of summer camp, Miller would all of a sudden jump to another program?
That dog don’t hunt.
11Warriors.com is arguably the best and most comprehensive OSU website on the Internet; I’m going to go with their line of thinking on this latest Miller speculation.
Would be shocked if Miller's "immediate plans" announcement next week isn't a three sentence release from OSU saying the QB is back at 100%.
— Eleven Warriors (@11W) July 2, 2015
UPDATED 2:06 p.m. ET: Instead of an entirely new post, I’ll just go ahead and and toss this latest piece of speculation in right here.
Braxton Miller planning to stay at Ohio State and continue focus on rehabilitation/recovery says one person who spoke w him
— Joe Schad (@schadjoe) July 2, 2015