Not so surprisingly, one portion of Ohio State’s three-headed quarterback competition who’s found himself limited this spring won’t take the field for the finale.
Ahead of spring practice No. 12 Monday morning, OSU head coach Urban Meyer confirmed that J.T. Barrett will not play in the Buckeyes’ spring game this Saturday. Both the OSU coaching and medical staff are taking the cautious tack when it comes to Barrett’s ankle, which he fractured in the regular-season finale against Michigan and subsequently underwent surgery to repair.
Barrett, who had screws removed from the ankle in February, has been in non-contact mode this spring, although Meyer stated that the redshirt sophomore has gotten more reps than expected. Barring a setback between now and August, Barrett is expected to be 100-percent healthy for the start of summer camp.
As for the other injured quarterback, Meyer stated that he’s been told Braxton Miller‘s “rehab is going good.” Miller is continuing his recovery from shoulder surgery that thus far has cost him the entire 2014 season as well as the whole of spring practice. According to the coach, the senior has had two or three followup visits with renowned orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Andrews which have gone well as well.
Miller should be healthy enough to do some work at the start of summer camp -- he resumed throwing a football nearly two months ago -- although how much remains to be seen. Meyer was unable, though, to offer a specific timetable.
With Miller and Barrett sidelined, the spring game quarterbacking duties will fall on the arms of postseason hero Cardale Jones and redshirt freshman Stephen Collier. The three-man competition between Jones, Miller and Barrett will commence in earnest in a little less than four months.
