Cardale Jones' Return to Ohio State Means Braxton Miller Must Transfer

Cardale Jones announced Thursday that he will bypass the NFL draft and return to Ohio State, leaving the Buckeyes with three capable quarterbacks: Jones, J.T. Barrett and Braxton Miller.

For the team, this is what's known as a "good problem to have." But for Miller, it's a sign to start packing.

Miller was the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year in 2012 and 2013 before tearing his labrum this offseason. His injury paved the way for Barrett to become a Heisman candidate, and Barrett's own injury paved the way for Jones to become an NFL prospect.

All three quarterbacks have earned the right to start, but three quarterbacks can't share one backfield. If they could, Urban Meyer would be the right guy to puzzle the logistics—but they can't. And Miller, a rising redshirt senior, is the only member of the group who can transfer in 2015 without having to sit out a season.

Now more than ever, he has to find a new home.

Miller has the talent to win the starting job at OSU next season. He was a 5-star prospect in 2011 and started as a true freshman. He led the Buckeyes on a 24-game winning streak in his sophomore and junior years. There's a reason he entered fall camp ahead of Barrett and Jones on the depth chart, and it wasn't just seniority.

But the chance that he might not start—or that even if he does start, he might split reps with two other players—should be enough to send him elsewhere. Not because he's "running from the competition," but simply because it makes pragmatic sense.

Have you seen the list of teams in reported pursuit of Miller? It's not like he's choosing between OSU and Louisiana Tech.

Barrett Sallee of Bleacher Report floated Oregon as a destination. Florida State safety Jalen Ramsey recruited Miller to join the Noles. Steve Schneider of WAFB 9 linked Miller with LSU. Former Oklahoma safety Tony Jefferson pitched well on the Sooners' behalf:

"

@Braxtonmiller5 this could be you bro ... And I was a defensive back... Transfer to OU  pic.twitter.com/H5ZF3saEfe

— Tony Jefferson (@tonyjefferson1) January 15, 2015"

Three of those teams have played in a national title game since 2011-12. The only one that hasn't (Oklahoma) played its last in 2007-08.

Oregon and Florida State have produced the past two Heisman Trophy winners in Marcus Mariota and Jameis Winston. LSU has recruited better wide receivers than just about any school in the country. Oklahoma has Samaje Perine in the backfield to lighten the QB's load. All four teams have the pieces in place to succeed.

The only thing they need is…well, Miller.

There aren't enough good quarterbacks out there for Miller to spend the season withering away in some platoon system. Even if there's a chance for him to win the job outright, why risk it? Why not pick the safer option, the one more likely to get him to the NFL? It worked for Russell Wilson when he transferred to Wisconsin.

	Miller 2013	Barrett 2014	Jones 2014-15
Completion %	63.5	64.6	60.9
Yards Per Attempt	8.2	9.0	9.3
TD:INT Ratio	24:8	34:10	7:2
QB Rating	158.08	169.82	160.15
Carries-Rush Yards	171-1,068	171-938	72-296
Yards Per Carry	6.25	5.49	4.11
Rush TD	12	11	1
Total QBR	81.3	85.6	71.9

At the start of the season, Miller assured everyone he was returning to Ohio State. But now he has started giving roundabout answers.

"I've got to get my shoulder right," he deflected after Jones led OSU to the national championship, per Brett McMurphy of ESPN.com.

Not exactly ringing assurance.

Barrett, though, has been a little more candid. "I'm not leaving," he told Pete Thamel of SI.com before Thursday's announcement. "I don't think Braxton is leaving. I don't think Cardale is leaving."

But it's easy for Barrett to be candid, because he's the only one with no alternatives. Jones could have fled the logjam by declaring for the draft. Miller can flee the logjam by transferring. Barrett can only sit and watch his teammates and wait.

If Barrett draws the short straw next season, if he sees the fewest reps of any quarterback, he is not the one we'll criticize for staying. Of course he stayed in Columbus; what reason does he have to leave? Even if he doesn't play, he can still start in 2016.

Miller, though, has everything to lose by staying. He would be doubling down on his talent, on his ability to win back his job. Only now, instead of two anonymous underclassman, he'd be wagering against the No. 5 Heisman finisher and the reigning national champion.

No matter how good he thinks he is (or actually is), that is not a smart wager to make. Not when his career hangs in the balance.

Follow Brian Leigh on Twitter: @BLeigh35