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StumbleuponWayne QB a special talent
Miller has hype, size, speed and skills; what he wants is state title
Thursday, August 21, 2008
The Wayne High School football team's offense is anchored by sophomore quarterback Braxton Miller. 'He's the real deal,' Lakota West assistant coach Jeff Wadl said. The Warriors open their season against the Firebirds at 8:15 p.m. tonight, Aug. 21, in the Skyline Chili Crosstown Showdown at Welcome Stadium. Game 1 is Centerville vs. Lakota East at 5:30 p.m. Both games will be televised on FSN Ohio. HUBER HEIGHTS — The hype around him is growing to what could become an unprecedented level for a Dayton-area high school quarterback.
But Braxton Miller doesn't see it or necessarily like it.
"I don't want to get the big head at all," the Wayne High School sophomore said. "I'm just a cool kid that wants to play football."
Offered a scholarship from the University of Cincinnati as a freshman, the grinning, soft-spoken Miller can't recall the names of all the schools that have sent him mail.
"I really don't pay attention. I just stay focused on what I have to do," he said before making dart-like throws during a shell scrimmage in a recent practice. "(College) is kind of far off. I'm just trying to help my team win a state championship."
The 6-foot-2, 180-pound speedster with a big arm has a recruiting buzz that likely will surpass anything that once surrounded heralded local QBs Kirk Herbstreit, Eric Boykin or Bobby Hoying.
"He put on a special show at the Ohio State camp," Ohio recruiting analyst Duane Long said. "I had one contact tell me that he looks like the next guy in line behind (OSU freshman) Terrelle Pryor.
"He just showed that kind of talent and that kind of ability to impact a game. On the little bit of tape I saw, I could not believe it was a freshman."
The starter since halftime of Game 1 last year, Miller had ups and downs, but his only full-game loss was a 28-21 overtime defeat against Centerville.
"He's the high school equivalent of Troy Smith," said Centerville coach Ron Ullery of Miller, who had 328 total yards that night against the Elks. "He's got the size, has a rocket arm, is fast, strong, elusive, cool with the ball."
Not all hyped QBs work out (see Justin Zwick), but Wayne coach Jay Minton said Miller works on reading defenses and being a leader. "He's confident, but he's not arrogant," Minton said. "He's a team guy. The biggest attribute he has is he wants to get better.
"By the time he's a senior, if he's not close to being a national-type player then something didn't go right. He's that caliber of player."
Miller has already convinced Fairmont coach Brian Blevins: "Braxton Miller could play in the (Mid-American Conference) right now. I think he's that good. ... Right now, as a sophomore, he's one of the best I've seen."
Asked what fans at Welcome Stadium and viewers on FSN Ohio should look for tonight against Lakota West, Miller said. "They should look for a playmaker. That's what I am."
Braxton Miller
Height, weight: 6-foot-2, 180 pounds
Year: Sophomore
Family ties: Cousin of ex-Ohio State receiver Dee Miller
2007 stats
Passing: 93-152-10 INTs, 1,048 yards, 9 TDs; Rushing: 93-303 yards, 5 TDs
Recruiting analyst Duane Long says: "If I was picking a quarterback in Ohio regardless of class, it would be Braxton Miller. That's a huge statement. He's got physical tools that no one else does."
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-6951 or mgokavi@DaytonDailyNews.com.
