When Urban Meyer was asked at Big Ten Media Days in July what his realistic expectations were for Braxton Miller at his new position for the upcoming season, the Ohio State head coach set the bar quite high.
"For the average guy, I'd say it would be very uncommon to [contribute] at least right out of the gate," Meyer said. "He's not common, though. My expectation is that he's an impact player."
It doesn't look like much has changed in the three weeks since.
The Buckeyes wrapped up fall training camp Saturday morning at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center and when Meyer was asked again about Miller's expectations for an immediate impact at H-back — more specifically, if he was capable of starting at the position in Week 1 against Virginia Tech — he reaffirmed what was said three weeks prior in Chicago.
"My plan is to try and get him ready to do that," Meyer said. "He's getting close."
The H position is a crowded one with Curtis Samuel, Jalin Marshall and Dontre Wilson vying for time there, though Marshall and Wilson are both suspended for the opener against the Hokies. And if Miller doesn't start Week 1, it's not a big deal. He's going to play. He's too talented and dynamic to keep off the field.
But Meyer's comments saying he hopes Miller will start make it seem like he wants Miller to be quite a big part of Ohio State's offense. And Meyer said Miller is finally starting to get into a routine of what is expected from a wide receiver/H-back for the Buckeyes.
"We have two routines we always talk to our players about. No. 1 is the routine getting ready for a game and that’s what you eat, what you wear, how you sleep and all that and the other routine is per play," Meyer said. "As a receiver, it’s much different than quarterback. Quarterback you don’t have to get lined up, you have to find a center and stand behind them. He’s really developing his routine and even today he was out there, I didn’t scrimmage him, but his routine getting his play, getting his split and then identifying the coverage."
With two weeks remaining until Ohio State takes the field, Miller still has a little bit of time to perfect his craft the best he can at his new position.
The goal is for Miller to start at H-back against Virginia Tech. But Meyer wouldn't go as far as to say he's there just yet.
“I’m not ready to say that," Meyer said, "but I want him to be.”
