Braxton Miller is Ohio State's top Heisman Trophy candidate for the 2015 season, according to Kevin McGuire of NBC Sports.
Miller seemed to fall into the background this summer after making the decision to switch to receiver. Cardale Jones and J.T. Barrett seemed to be all the topic of conversation, as Buckeye fans waited to see who would start at quarterback against Virginia Tech.
While running back Ezekiel Elliott seems the clear-on Ohio State favorite for the Heisman, Miller has shown in his first game at wide receiver why he may make some noise this season. At the start of the second half Miller caught a 54-yard touchdown pass that gave the Buckeyes the lead which they never let go of. The Buckeyes finished the second half strong winning 42-24.
In an impressive win against the Hokies, Miller reminded the nation why he was in the debate for quarterback before switching to receiver. The young man is an athlete, and his transformation to receiver just shows his diverse skill set. Miller didn't just catch the ball against Virginia Tech; he also rushed for 62 yards including a touchdown.
The way head coach Urban Meyer has been able to hold onto this tremendous athlete while switching him to another position is incredible. While much of the talk will still be about Jones and Elliott, don't be surprised if Miller's name keeps surfacing at the top with them.
There have been quarterbacks who have made the change to receiver. Look at Super Bowl Champion Julian Edelman, who played quarterback at Kent State. Edelman was an athlete in school who could rush and pass the ball. In the NFL he had to change positions and has shown that with athleticism and hard work it is possible. Athletes like Edelman or Miller are rare, but they have that special talent that transcends position.
A wide receiver hasn't won the Heisman since 1991, and for the past five years the Heisman trophy has gone to quarterbacks. Desmond Howard, Tim Brown and Johnny Rodgers have been the only three receivers to win the Heisman.
While Miller is a long distance from even being a Heisman Trophy candidate, he took a great first step on Monday against Virginia Tech. The key to Miller being in the conversation is to continue great play, and that is likely to take him catching and running with the ball because receivers need big numbers to be get in the Heisman conversation.
