We're counting down the days to kickoff with “99 Warriors,” the greatest Ohio State Buckeyes by jersey number, as voted by the staff of Eleven Warriors.
No. 5 Braxton Miller
On a list of the most exciting players to watch in Ohio State history, there wouldn't be many players who rank above Braxton Miller.
QB/WR Braxton Miller
2011-15
b. Nov. 30, 1992 (Springfield, Ohio)
- Big Ten Freshman of the Year (2011)
- Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year (2012, 2013)
- Big Ten Quarterback of the Year (2012, 2013)
- Team Captain (2014, 2015)
A spectacular athlete who could also make big plays with his arm, Miller made an immediate impact as a true freshman in 2011, starting 10 games at quarterback, throwing for 1,159 yards and 13 touchdowns and rushing for 715 yards and seven touchdowns. He delivered an unforgettable moment in an otherwise forgettable season – completing a 40-yard, game-winning touchdown pass to Devin Smith with less than 30 seconds remaining in an upset victory over Wisconsin – and was named Big Ten Freshman of the Year.
In 2012 and 2013, Miller was both the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year and Quarterback of the Year for both seasons, as he became one of the electric playmakers in college football. He threw for 2,039 yards and 15 touchdowns and ran for 1,271 yards and 13 touchdowns as a sophomore, then followed that up with 2,094 passing yards, 24 passing touchdowns, 1,068 rushing yards and 12 rushing touchdowns as a junior.
Although he missed the entire 2014 season with a shoulder injury, the team captain still provided leadership from the sideline as the Buckeyes went on to win a national championship. Then in 2015 (wearing No. 1), Miller showed how spectacular an athlete he was by moving from quarterback to H-back, catching 26 passes for 341 yards and three touchdowns and running for 260 yards and another touchdown in his final season as a Buckeye.
Miller has continued playing wide receiver since being selected in the third round of the 2016 NFL draft, and is now going into his third season with the Houston Texans.
Ohio State's all-time leader in 100-yard rushing games (14) by a quarterback, Miller ranks second in Ohio State history in total touchdowns (88), third in Ohio State history in total offense (8,609), sixth in career rushing yards (3,314) and ninth in career passing yards (5,295).
