Ohio State players, coaches react to Braxton Miller’s move to receiver

Ohio State players and some coaches reacted on Twitter to Thursday night’s news that Braxton Miller was switching from quarterback to wide receiver.

Braxton Miller’s switch from Ohio State quarterback to receiver sent shockwaves throughout the college football world Thursday night after it was first reported by SI’s Pete Thamel, and it was even somewhat surprising inside the confines of the Buckeyes program.

Miller told Thamel that less than five of his teammates “knew definitively” of his position change to H-Back, which was prompted largely by Ohio State’s logjam at quarterback and Miller’s ongoing recovery from two shoulder surgeries.

Miller said he has spent four hours a day this summer watching film and catching passes from quarterbacks J.T. Barrett and Cardale Jones, who will now battle for the starting job, as well as a JUGS machine. Miller could also return punts on top of his H-Back duties.

“It’s going to be electric,” Miller said. “We had a great season last year, but we didn’t see anyone do off-the-wall type stuff. I’m sure guys miss seeing an explosive, 60-yard shake-and-bake run every once in a while.”

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After the news spread on Twitter Thursday night, various Buckeyes reacted in kind.

Wide receivers coach Zach Smith:

#Zone6 is Scary.... 😈😈😈😈😈@BraxtonMiller5 been had that #Zone6 Mentality - he's a Day One Member... 💯💯 https://t.co/oUZoZnnmIR

— Zach Smith (@CoachZachSmith) July 24, 2015

Smith was also quoted in Thamel’s story.

“Braxton Miller can play wide receiver as long as he wants to play it,” says Ohio State receivers coach Zach Smith. “His speed, strength, talent, commitment and, really, lifestyle will allow him to be like Joey Galloway. It’s going to be a matter of how quickly he grows into the position, but the sky is the limit for him.”

Linebacker Sam Hubbard:

#shhhh https://t.co/f9zJmqazZA

— Sam Hubbard (@Sam_Hubbard_) July 24, 2015

Director of player personnel Mark Pantoni, in reference to Miller’s new position group:

That #Zone6 lifestyle just got real real! @CoachZachSmith

— Mark Pantoni (@markpantoni) July 24, 2015

Welcome to the family @BraxtonMiller5 #Zone6 http://t.co/rOZnB9Rjp1

— Zone 6 (@Zone6_OSU) July 24, 2015

Former Ohio State tight end and current member of the Ohio Bobcats, Ryan Carter:

Wide receiver Michael Thomas:

I told yall #shhh we workin

— Michael Thomas (@Cantguardmike) July 24, 2015

Sheesh my mentions aren't so #shhh right now but that's fine I'm going to stay humble 🙊

— Michael Thomas (@Cantguardmike) July 24, 2015

Curtis Samuel, Alex Stump, Jeff Greene, Kato can we please tell NCAA add more time on the clock 😩 #shh

— Michael Thomas (@Cantguardmike) July 24, 2015

Kicker Sean Nuernberger:

😂 https://t.co/pzn2CuLqlI

— Sean Nuernberger (@Sean4Heisman1) July 24, 2015

Wide receiver Johnnie Dixon:

#Zone6 Too live #Whoa

— Johnnie L. Dixon III (@YoungKing_JD5) July 24, 2015

- Mike Fiammetta