Don't Count out J.T. Barrett in Ohio State's Quarterback Controversy

COLUMBUS, Ohio — It's not often that a quarterback competition causes Las Vegas to place odds for three separate competitors.

But one look at Bovada's handicapping (via OddsShark.com) of Ohio State's high-profile position battle shows that what the Buckeyes will face this offseason is far from your typical quarterback derby.

Ohio State hadn't even been the reigning national champion for more than 12 hours before Bovada released its odds for who will be the Buckeyes' starting signal-caller for the first game of the 2015 season. Just how unprecedented is the most-talked-about quarterback battle in recent memory? Look no further than the resume of the player with the third-best odds to start.

Ohio State's single-season total yardage record, the Big Ten's single-season touchdown mark, the Buckeyes' single-season passing touchdowns record, Big Ten Quarterback of the Year, Big Ten Freshman of the Year, CFPA National Freshman of the Year, third-team AP All-American and a fifth-place Heisman  Trophy finish. That would be the work of redshirt sophomore-to-be J.T. Barrett, who, as of Jan. 13, was listed at 2-1 and behind Cardale Jones (6-5) and Braxton Miller (7-4) in Bovada's handicapping of their three-man race.

As the slim margin between Jones, Miller and Barrett indicates, none of the three should be counted out at this point in the offseason.

"It's an interesting group. The little bit I've been around them, great young men, hard-working," new OSU quarterbacks coach Tim Beck said of the quarterback trio vying for the Buckeyes' starting spot. "They compete hard, because they want to win and they want to play."

Paul Vernon/Associated Press

If all three are fully healthy by the start of the season—and that's the biggest "if" in this whole deal—you could make a compelling case for any of the three to start. But while Jones has the momentum and Miller possesses the star power, Barrett has become an unlikely underdog, despite his stellar debut season.

Filling in for Miller two weeks prior to the start of the season after the two-time Big Ten MVP tore the labrum in his throwing shoulder, Barrett took the Buckeyes from national afterthought to championship contenders. Accumulating an 11-1 record in 12 starts before fracturing his ankle in Ohio State's regular-season finale against Michigan, Barrett rewrote the Buckeyes record books, building quite the trophy case in the process.

"I'm grateful and blessed for the opportunity," Barrett said following his season-ending injury. "I enjoyed all of it. It's just crazy to think about, myself personally, I wasn't trying to go out there and break any records or play outside myself. I was just trying to put my team in the best position to win each and every week."

Barrett, however, managed to do both, totaling 3,772 (2,834 passing, 938 rushing) yards and 45 touchdowns (34 passing, 11 rushing) in his freshman season. Although Miller shined as a one-man wrecking crew under Urban Meyer in 2012 and 2013, Barrett appeared to be a better fit as a distributor in the Buckeyes' spread system, ranking second in the country with a 169.8 passer rating.

"I feel like with this offense that Barrett works better in this offense,” Michigan State linebacker Taiwan Jones said as the Spartans prepared to take on the Buckeyes in November. “I feel like he has a better arm, he’s a way better quarterback than Braxton.”

Ann Heisenfelt/Associated Press

But while Barrett had the OSU offense firing on all cylinders during his time in the Buckeyes lineup, his injury opened the door for Jones to showcase what he's capable of. In three games against three of OSU's toughest opponents, the strong-armed 6'5", 250-pounder threw for 742 yards and five touchdowns, helping the Buckeyes capture the national championship with wins over Wisconsin, Alabama and Oregon.

The prevailing thought seems to be that with Jones riding a wave of momentum and being the only of the three healthy for spring practice, he'll have the opportunity to build an insurmountable lead in the quarterback competition. But with Barrett expected to be fully recovered by the start of fall camp, don't be so sure that's the case.

After all, Jones exited Ohio State's spring session a year ago firmly ahead of Barrett on the depth chart after Miller sat out due to his first shoulder injury. Barrett, however, bounced back to surpass Jones in the summer, three days before being named the Buckeyes' starter following Miller's season-ending injury.

"The offense moves more frequently when J.T.'s the quarterback," then-OSU offensive coordinator Tom Herman said last offseason. "And that's the sign of a good one."

Barrett's already beaten Jones out once in a competition, and now he may have to do it again. As for Miller, the fifth-year senior claims to have already resumed throwing, but the severity of his injury makes it impossible to predict where his health will stand come summer.

Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press

That's just one of the many unknowns that will need to be answered before the dust settles in this unprecedented quarterback competition. With both Jones and Miller intent on heading to the pros the following season, Barrett seems to be a lock to be Ohio State's starter in 2016, but it remains more than possible the Wichita Falls, Texas, native won't have to wait that long to reclaim his starting spot.

"It's special what we have here as far as our quarterback room," Barrett said following the national title game. "There's no wishing bad upon Cardale so I can feel like the team needs me and that's how some places are. It's crazy."

It is, but so is Ohio State's current situation. And despite what the odds say, Barrett may be the Buckeyes' safest bet.

Ben Axelrod is Bleacher Report's Ohio State Lead Writer. You can follow him on Twitter @BenAxelrod. Unless noted otherwise, all quotes obtained firsthand. All statistics courtesy of cfbstats.com. Recruiting rankings courtesy of 247Sports.