With the quarterback situation for the current recruiting cycle now situated, Ohio State quickly shifted its focus and landed a commitment from one of the nation's top underclassmen when Scottsdale, Arizona, Chaparral four-star signal caller Jack Miller III pledged his services to the Buckeyes on Sunday afternoon.
THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY
— Jack Miller (@jackjamesmiller) July 1, 2018
COMMITTED
#GoBucks pic.twitter.com/gf8DmECv2a
The Miller File
- Class: 2018
- Size: 6-foot-4, 210 pounds
- Pos: QB
- School: Chaparral (Scottsdale,AZ)
- Composite Rating: ★★★★
- Composite Rank: 3 (PRO)
“Everything [stands out],” Miller told reporters following his unofficial visit last month for Friday Night Lights. “The culture, the coaching staff, the great players they draw in and my chance for life after football. They have a great program going on. I love everything about it.
“I really love it here. Today really kind of cemented how great they are with just how much they’re willing to spend with me and invest in me.”
The 6-foot-4, 210-pound Miller is considered the third-best pro-style quarterback and No. 47 prospect overall in the Class of 2020. He picked Ohio State over nearly 20 other offers from programs such as Alabama, Auburn, Florida State, LSU, Michigan, Michigan State, Texas A&M, UCLA and USC.
Friday's visit marked Miller's third time on campus since offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Ryan Day offered him a scholarship last spring, as he also attended a one-day over the summer and the thrilling 39-38 win over Penn State in October. The two have grown especially close in that time, and even shared a hug as Miller departed the Buckeyes’ practice facility on Friday night.
“He’s awesome. I love him so much,” Miller said. “He’s such a great coach. He knows a lot about football, too. We were up on the board today with him explaining defenses and concepts. You’re always going to have a place to throw the ball no matter what the defense does. I love that.”
Miller’s relationship with head coach Urban Meyer goes back much further than that, however, as his father is the general manager at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess Resort where the Buckeyes stayed during their last two trips to the Fiesta Bowl.
“I think having a familiarity with coach Meyer through [family friend] Tim Tebow, the team staying out at his parent's hotel and getting to know who Meyer is as a person [played a role in his decision],” Chaparral offensive coordinator Tim Kohner told Eleven Warriors. “Him taking that trip to Ohio State last summer and throwing at the camp, getting to know the other coaches, the stadium and the surrounding area was great. He really loved that. Their commitment to football from the school, the heritage, the tradition they hav and the coaching staff, all those things have been checked off.”
Miller becomes the fourth member of Ohio State's 2020 recruiting class, joining Cincinnati St. Xavier five-star offensive tackle Paris Johnson Jr, Georgia four-star offensive tackle Jake Wray and IMG Academy four-star cornerback Lejond Cavazos.
