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Urban Meyer says QB Braxton Miller will start fall camp as a WR

Ohio State quarterback Braxton Miller watches warm ups before the start of Ohio State's NCAA college football spring game Saturday, April 18, 2015, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
Ohio State quarterback Braxton Miller watches warm ups before the start of Ohio State's NCAA college football spring game Saturday, April 18, 2015, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)

Braxton Miller will play some wide receiver this year, coach Urban Meyer announced at Big Ten media days on Thursday.

Meyer said Miller approached him about a month ago regarding the position change because Miller’s shoulder still wasn’t 100 percent to play quarterback.

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However, Meyer said Miller at wide receiver is a “Plan B” solution at this point and there’s still hope that Miller can compete under center. But, Meyer noted that he planned to work with Miller one-on-one at the beginning of fall camp to get him ready to contribute as a receiver.

News of Miller’s possible position change surfaced last week when Miller told Sports Illustrated he was going to start the season as an H-back, which is a hybrid receiver position. While Miller didn’t rule out playing quarterback, he said he would play receiver during about 80 percent of fall camp.

Miller hasn’t played since the 2013 season. He suffered a shoulder injury that required surgery during the bowl game that season and another injury during fall camp cost him 2014. Reports out of spring indicated he was having trouble throwing the ball downfield and that he was hardly throwing at all.

In his absence, Ohio State has found two high-level quarterbacks in J.T. Barrett and Cardale Jones. Barrett started in place of Miller throughout the 2014 season before suffering a season-ending ankle injury against Michigan. Jones stepped in and led the Buckeyes to a Big Ten title and a national championship.

During his quarterbacking career, Miller has completed 59.3 percent of his passes for 5,292 yards, 52 touchdowns and 17 interceptions. He’s also rushed for 3,054 yards and 32 scores during the three years he’s played.

If Miller can catch on to the H-back position, there’s going to be an early opportunity for him to play with both Jalin Marshall and Dontre Wilson, the team’s top two H-backs, suspended for the season opener for an undisclosed violation of team rules.

For more Ohio State news, visit BuckeyeGrove.com.

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