Cardale Jones Gives Ohio State Football Best Chance To Repeat in 2015

Greg Bartram-USA TODAY Sports
Greg Bartram-USA TODAY Sports

The defending National Champions will have a quarterback controversy this summer, though it’s the kind of problem that any other team in the country would be lucky to have. Losing two quarterbacks to season-ending injuries would usually be enough to derail a promising campaign, but the Ohio State Buckeyes didn’t skip a beat as they won the inaugural College Football Playoff.

The 2014 regular season began with redshirt freshman J.T. Barrett as the team’s starter following a preseason shoulder injury to Braxton Miller. Barrett had an outstanding season, starting 12 games and winning every one until a fourth-quarter leg injury in the regular season finale against Michigan ended his season. It’s pretty safe to say no one expected a 59-0 shutout of the Wisconsin Badgers in the Big Ten Championship game the following week. Third-stringer Cardale Jones‘ 257-yard effort was enough to convince voters to add the Big Ten champions to the four-team playoff field. The Buckeyes went on to upset Alabama in the Allstate Sugar Bowl followed by a 42-20 domination of Oregon in the national championship game. Jones’ three-plus game audition should be enough to give him the upper hand  in the ongoing competition to be the guy in 2015.

The Buckeyes are already considered by most to be the front-runner to win the national championship again this season, but naming Jones as the starter will give them the advantage more than any other scenario. If head coach Urban Meyer awards the job to Jones, this will give the Buckeyes the opportunity to add depth to their offense as a whole. Braxton Miller and J.T. Barrett are not only capable at the quarterback position, but incredible athletes who can and should be converted to add more firepower to the offense. Jones is also a great athlete, though his next-level arm strength and build make him the best option at the quarterback position.

There was speculation in the offseason as to whether Miller and/or Barrett would transfer, but they made a commitment to Meyer and and the Buckeyes. It may have been a poor decision if they wanted to further their careers at the quarterback position, but a great decision if they want to add another national championship to their resume. This scenario will also assist each player if they have any ambitions of playing at the next level. Miller and Barrett are both unlikely to translate to the NFL as a quarterback but could be an asset if they prove to be successful at alternate positions. Jones, on the other hand is drawing comparisons to NFL stars such as Pittsburgh Steelers‘ quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger.

Repeating as a champion on any level is never a slam dunk because of injuries and other unforeseen difficulties, though Ohio State seems as likely of a contender to do so as any. Jones behind center should give the Buckeyes the best chance to do this, especially if Miller and Barrett can be added as additional weapons on this overwhelmingly talented roster.

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