Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Ryan Shazier (10) tackles Illinois Fighting Illini running back Donovonn Young (5) after a short gain at Ohio Stadium. Ohio State won the game 52-22. Mandatory Credit: Greg Bartram-USA TODAY Sports
Pretty much everyone agrees that Ohio State Buckeyes star quarterback Braxton Miller needs to stay in school for another year, because he would have found it very difficult to be drafted into a good situation in the 2014 NFL Draft if he chose to declare. Yet despite the prevailing belief that Miller should definitely stay in school, Miller was seriously considering leaving Ohio State to become an NFL QB as quickly as possible, and it’s clear that Miller trusts his skill-set as a QB more than others do. Nobody can blame him for the confidence, and there is little doubt that Miller should try to pursue his dream of being a QB as opposed to listening to those who think he should play at RB or some other position. But there’s also little doubt that it’s best for Miller to stay in school, and that’s exactly what he’s doing.
Sports Illustrated’s Pete Thamel reports that the athletic quarterback has made the wise decision to stay with the Buckeyes for his senior season, and it will be interesting to see how many strides he makes in his final year at OSU. Contrary to what some think, Miller did make significant strides as a junior and really improved on his accuracy, but he definitely does need to fine-tune his game. He’s far from a polished passer, and it would be been a foolish move for him to bet on himself and declare; he could really use the added year of experience. Plus, the Buckeyes will be a title contender next season with Miller, and it was good for the talented-but-not-close-to-pro-ready QB to listen to the advice he received from others and stay in school. He may think he’s a pro-ready QB, but he’s not.
Ohio State star linebacker Ryan Shazier made a different decision, per Thamel, but his choice was equally wise, as the pro-ready linebacker will declare for the draft. Shazier has nothing more to prove at the collegiate level, and he’s a projected first-round pick at the linebacker position. Scouts really like him and he received a solid second-round pick projection from the advisory board (they give notoriously conservative projections), but Shazier was still torn on whether or not to leave Ohio State and jump to the NFL. It sounds like he’s made the decision to leave, and it’s the right call.