COLUMBUS, Ohio – Three proven starting quarterbacks is usually a blueprint for team discord. But that’s how many will compete for playing time at Ohio State.
Still, Cardale Jones and the injured J.T. Barrett and Braxton Miller remain good friends, rooting for each other and — at least for now — accepting of the fact that only one of them will take the first snap in the 2015 season opener.
“Whoever wins it is going to earn it,” Barrett said.
“There’s always been a healthy competition. I don’t think last year will affect the competition this year,” said Jones. “Guys can always get better, while some stay the same. I just want to get better and improve my game.”
Miller did not speak to reporters Thursday.
Head coach Urban Meyer along with Tim Beck, the new quarterbacks coach, say the three are understanding about the logjam at the position. They don’t anticipate backbiting and schisms over the next six months and beyond while things get sorted out at the position.
“I think at some point there will be some [pressure to choose a starter] because of the great respect I have for those three guys,” Meyer told reporters. “But there’s not right now, we’re not even focused on that. I just want to see (Miller) get healthy, J.T. get healthy and Cardale continue to improve.”
All have sparkled while in charge of the offense in their turns.
Miller, two-time Big Ten offensive player of the year and Heisman Trophy candidate, sat out all of the 2014 season after reinjuring a shoulder and Barrett, who stepped in at the last minute and shattered records while leading the Buckeyes to the Big Ten championship game, suffered a broken ankle in the regular season finale against Michigan. Neither is expected to see any meaningful action during spring practice.
Jones took over and steered the Buckeyes to victory in the Big Ten title game, the Sugar Bowl and the College Football Playoff national championship game.