Ohio State QB Cardale Jones Says He's Buckeyes' 3rd-Stringer, but Should He Be?

One of the biggest stories of this offseason, if not the biggest story, has been junior Cardale Jones and the quarterback depth chart at Ohio State.

The Buckeyes entered 2014 with a returning starter at quarterback, replaced him with a freshman after a preseason injury and finished an incredible national championship run with Jones.

So after all those shakeups, the college football world has constantly debated and discussed the biggest question for the defending champs—how should Ohio State establish the order for senior Braxton Miller, sophomore J.T. Barrett and Jones?

Jamie Sabau/Getty Images

Although head coach Urban Meyer won't reveal his answer until later this fall, one of the three quarterbacks recently said what he thinks the depth chart looks like right now.

Jones, who started all three postseason games for the Buckeyes last season, believes he is currently the third-string quarterback for Ohio State.

Here are some of Jones' thoughts on his current spot in the position battle, according to ESPN's Austin Ward:

"

I haven’t proven anything yet. I haven’t proven anything to myself, my teammates, my coaches to label myself as a starter. That’s my opinion, my personal opinion.

I’m kind of harder on myself than the coaches, but I was thrown into that position. I didn’t beat out J.T. [Barrett] going into the Michigan game. I didn’t beat out Braxton [Miller]. Unfortunately both guys got hurt, and luckily enough I was prepared to try to take advantage of the situation.

I’m working harder than ever. I understand that I want to be the starting quarterback of this team, but I know I have two guys in front of me who are working just as hard.

That’s not a chip on my shoulder. It’s just an understanding that it’s far from over and I haven’t done anything yet.

"

Jones' opinion of his place on the depth chart is rather surprising because he appears to have the upper hand on Barrett and Miller heading into the 2015 season.

He should be viewed as the one to beat in Columbus.

While the other two quarterbacks saw limited action this spring as they recovered from their respective injuries, Jones took all the first-team practice snaps at quarterback.

Those reps and his health are two major advantages in Jones' favor.

Jay LaPrete/Associated Press

Sure, Barrett and Miller are expected to be back at 100 percent for Ohio State this season, but when they return, it will have been a long time since either of them have practiced at full speed with the rest of the Buckeyes' starters on offense.

Jones, on the other hand, will have been able to establish a greater rhythm in the offensive system while the other two former starters were rehabbing.

"I was with the guys I was repping with all spring," Jones told Bleacher Report's Ben Axelrod after his performance in Ohio State's spring game. "And for me to be able to have all the [first-team] reps with the guys who I think are going to be able to make plays for us in the fall, I mean, it was pretty fun."

Another plus for Jones is that he looks like the best passer on the roster.

He did excellent work in the pocket late last season, finding ways to avoid defenders and still make excellent throws downfield.

Jones had his opportunities to run with the ball last season, but his work in the passing game was more important.

In his three starts, Jones' numbers were an improvement from what Ohio State got out of Barrett during the rest of 2014 and Miller in 2013:

Name (Year)	Games Started	Yards per Game	QB Rating
Cardale Jones (2014)	3	247.3	177.63
J.T. Barrett (2014)	12	236.2	169.82
Braxton Miller (2013)	12	174.5	158.08

And, most importantly, Jones did that in the Buckeyes' three most-important games last season without much experience.

Now, the hottest name in the quarterback room in Columbus has had an entire offseason to improve on what he showcased in three incredible games to close a championship run.

Maybe Jones' recent comments are a reflection of the outspoken Jones' efforts to stay motivated throughout the rest of the offseason.

After all, a healthy Barrett and a healthy Miller will be excellent competitors who already have finished ahead of Jones in previous depth charts.

But, judging by the last few months, there's absolutely no reason the star of Ohio State's title-winning performances should think he's the last in line at Ohio State.

All stats courtesy of CFBStats.com unless otherwise noted.

Justin Ferguson is an on-call college football writer at Bleacher Report. You can follow him on Twitter @JFergusonBR.