DALLAS -- The most interesting person, depending on your perspective, at the College Football Playoff National Championship was nowhere to be found for most of the week.
But that didn't stop media members from asking Ohio State coach Urban Meyer where in the world former Big Ten Player of the Year Braxton Miller would be in 2015.
"I do expect Braxton to return," Meyer said, after a sigh, about the quarterback's potential to stay in Columbus for a fifth year.
Miller missed the entire 2014 season after reinjuring his right (throwing) shoulder at practice in August. He was expected to be one of the frontrunners to win the Heisman Trophy last year that ultimately went to the Buckeyes' opponent in the title game in Oregon signal-caller Marcus Mariota.
Despite his insistence on returning, rumors have grown louder and louder in the past month that Miller would graduate from Ohio State and transfer to another school to play quarterback for his final season of eligibility. Just last week, there were reports that the dual-threat star was interested in a possible move to Florida State to replace former Heisman winner Jameis Winston, who has already announced his intentions to enter the 2015 NFL Draft.
If Miller does stay in Columbus and is fully healthy, Meyer will certainly have no shortage of options at the most important position on the field -- a sharp contrast to where he is this week entering the title game with his third string quarterback. In addition to a two-time Big Ten Player of the Year in Miller, the Buckeyes will assuredly have this season's primary starter and breakout star J.T. Barrett as well as their current signal-caller in Cardale Jones.
NFL Media analyst Bucky Brooks is one of several folks who think Miller should come back for his final year with Ohio State but change positions and move to running back in order to give him a better chance at making it to the next level.
There's still plenty of time for Miller to decide his future but at least in January, the team is counting on him to be back in scarlet and gray.
You can follow Bryan Fischer on Twitter at @BryanDFischer.
