Ohio State quarterback Braxton Miller will return for his senior season, the school confirmed Thursday.
Miller (6-foot-2, 215 pounds) is a gifted dual-threat quarterback, but he is more advanced as a runner than as a passer.
The Columbus (Ohio) Dispatch reported that Miller requested feedback from the NFL Draft Advisory Board and was told he likely would be a mid- to late-round selection.
Miller had 3,162 yards of total offense and accounted for 36 touchdowns this season in helping the Buckeyes to a 12-2 record. He threw for 2,094 yards, 24 touchdowns and seven interceptions, and added 1,068 yards and 12 TDs on the ground despite missing two games and most of a third with a knee injury.
He is an excellent fit for coach Urban Meyer's version of the spread offense, but he will be working with a new starting tailback and behind a rebuilt line next fall. Four starting linemen were seniors this season.
Miller should enter the 2014 season as a top-five Heisman candidate, and improving as a passer will be the key to raising his NFL draft stock.
NFL Media analyst Charles Davis wrote last month that while Miller made huge strides as a passer this season, "the biggest thing for him to focus on will be improving his accuracy as a passer. ... For him to be a successful pro, he has to take another big leap next year. Right now, his running can get him out of so much trouble that he probably trusts his legs more than his arm."
Mike Huguenin can be reached at mike.huguenin@nfl.com. You also can follow him on Twitter @MikeHuguenin.
