Meet the 2016 Quarterback Who Could Be Heir to Braxton Miller's Throne

In 2013 Urban Meyer went into the the Lone Star State and plucked his first two Ohio State signees—quarterback JT Barrett and all-purpose back Dontre Wilson—right from the heart of Texas. Much to Charlie Strong's chagrin, Meyer is returning to that well of talent as we speak. 

Last week, Meyer and offensive coordinator Tom Herman went back into Texas to tender an offer to 2016 dual-threat quarterback Tristen Wallace—who hails from the same DeSoto High School program that produced Wilson. 

"

S/O to Ohio State for the offer ! #Blessed !

— WALL (@Wall4State) September 4, 2014"

Like injured Buckeyes star signal-caller Braxton Miller, a season that began with promise was derailed due to injury when Wallace went down with a broken ankle last Friday, according to WFAA. DeSoto head coach Claude Mathis estimates that Wallace could potentially return before the Texas state playoffs begin.

Still, there’s a reason the Buckeyes joined Nebraska, SMU and Indiana in offering Wallace—who Mathis said has been timed at 4.55 seconds in the 40-yard dash. 

Even with his injury status, if his stunning debut to the 2014 season was any indicator, he figures to become a hot commodity for recruiters entering the Lone Star State after he gets back onto the field.

Wallace went 10-of-17 for 287 yards passing with four touchdowns while adding 231 yards rushing and another three scores on the ground. Prior to going down in the first half of DeSoto’s 54-34 win over Eastern Christian Academy (Maryland), Wallace had completed all eight of his pass attempts for 118 yards and a score.

Still, it was his debut performance that sent shock waves through the metro Dallas area and earned him Player of the Week honors from The Dallas Morning News, according to Michael Florek. It’s not a coincidence that the Buckeyes came calling just a few days later.

“In our dealings with Ohio State and Coach Meyer, he doesn’t just throw out scholarships,” Mathis said. “If you are offered a scholarship by Urban Meyer, that means you are a special player and you can help the Ohio State program out in the future.”

Due to the presence of the electric Desmon White at quarterback, the 6’3”, 225-pound Wallace operated at receiver and running back in his first two years with the Eagles. Those multidimensional traits are part of what makes Wallace an intriguing talent in an offense such as Ohio State’s.

Prior to the injury, Mathis noted that Wallace was putting all of his effort and focus on leading the Eagles to an elusive state title. While the offer is a landmark moment in Wallace’s recruitment, he’s simply taking it in stride.

“It just means that I have to work harder and continue to win games and just keep doing what I do with my teammates,” Wallace said about his newest college interest. “I don’t want to get too big on recruiting and the outside stuff. That’s not really what we are focused on during the season. I’m just focusing on getting better each day, and the recruiting stuff will take care of itself.”

"

Feelin like Braxton Miller.

— WALL (@Wall4State) September 6, 2014"

However, he did note that Wilson reached out to him to congratulate him for landing the offer.

“We talked on Twitter,” Wallace said. “He was just telling me about the offense, and that’s basically it.”

Mathis noted that people around the program and in the area were paying close attention to Wallace to see if he was capable of filling the sizable void left by White. His subsequent performance in the season-opener went a long way toward establishing himself as a dynamic talent with a bright future. Recruiting, for now, is on the back burner for the emerging junior.

“Of course, for him, his main goal is to stay focused on trying to set the tone for this football team,” Mathis said. “I think he’s going to continue to do that, and if he does, he still has a chance to be very successful this season and beyond.”

Sanjay Kirpalani is a National Recruiting Analyst for Bleacher Report. Unless otherwise noted, all quotes were obtained firsthand, and all recruiting information is courtesy of 247Sports.

Follow @SanjayKirpalani