Add Ohio State Athletic Director Gene Smith to the chorus of people in Columbus who can’t understand why there are persistent rumors that Buckeyes quarterback Braxton Miller may be considering a transfer. “He’s not going anywhere,” Smith told ElevenWarriors.com in an interview this week. Miller was the Big Ten’s player of the year in 2012 and 2013 before missing the 2014 season with a torn labrum in his throwing shoulder. Freshman J.T. Barrett led the Buckeyes to an 11-1 regular season in his place and then, when Barrett was hurt in the finale against Michigan, sophomore third-stringer Cardale Jones then led Ohio State to wins over Wisconsin in the Big Ten title game and Alabama and Oregon in the College Football Playoffs for the national title. With the emergence of Barrett and Jones, transfer rumors have persisted about Miller, who has graduated and could play at another school immediately as a graduate transfer. The transfer buzz initially centered on LSU and Florida State and has since grown to include Alabama, after Miller made several visits to the state to rehab his shoulder and, while he was here, visit with close friend and Crimson Tide linebacker Trey DePriest. Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer said last month he has seen no indications that Miller, who hasn’t spoken to the media since August, is considering leaving. Miller’s high school coach, Jay Minton, told ElevenWarriors the same thing. Smith told ElevenWarriors he spoke with Miller before spring practice (which Miller and Barrett sat out as they continue to recover from their injuries) and left convinced that Miller is content in Columbus. “He said, ‘Mr. Smith, I’m not going anywhere. I love it here,'” Smith said. “He has a child. He’s from here. He’s in a good position. We have his medical records.
Continue Reading: Ohio State Athletic Director Gene Smith addresses Braxton Miller rumors
