Does Braxton have a better chance of winning the Heisman as a WR/H-Back/Return?

[Clarity]

So our front page is finally something worth visiting and bookmarking. Indeed its entire purpose is to be a meaningful launching point into our core, the forum. One of the things I've put there is a player provided by USA Today, it has OSU/B1G/NCAA content (basically in that order). Was just watching the various bits and came across something by Andy Staples in which he responded to the very question posted in the subject line.

Andy's answer was non-committal. Basically "no, but maybe yes." He pointed to the fact that the Heisman has been nearly the exclusive domain of QBs in the 2000s, and (rightly) to the fact that we may have not one, not two, but perhaps even three guys (Zeke, QB1, Brax1) in the Heisman discussion -- which can and does lead to some vote cannibalism.

But I thought the discussion and the question was interesting enough that I wanted to create that poll (and I'll link that to the front page as well).

Does he have a better chance? Who knows. A chance? Imagine the headlines if the two-time All-B1G QB decided to just blow it up as a WR/H-B/Return guy who, oh by the way, throws the ball on a few "gotchya" gadget plays that we all secretly want to see as part of our "console gaming made real life" waking fantasy that the 2015 squad represents.

So what say you? This isn't a terribly serious poll, I'm more interested in the comments than the votes; but I did include a couple basic explanations in the options for people who don't want to chime in.

For any who want to see the video, you can find it on the front page. Select the 4th or 5th video in, it's a pic of Brax doing a leg kick warmup.

 

[Dryden]

I think it's improbable because he won't get the touches with all the other playmakers on the field.

However, it's not out of the realm of possibility if he goes off like a video game where he's scoring once every five touches like Ginn did over the back half of 2004 or the way Reggie Bush did in 2005. Brax has to do it in prime time against VT, MSU, and keep it up over the course of the season. Can't have a three or four game stretch of clunkers. Also probably needs to house a couple of returns.

 

[MililaniBuckeye]

His chances were way better as a QB. He was already a pre-season Heisman favorite going into last season before his re-injury. As Dryden pointed out above, he simply won't get enough touches...

 

[Zurp]

Right. I think for a running back to be a contender, he needs to be the work-horse for his team. (Melvin Gordon) For a receiver to be a contender, he needs to have probably 50% or more of the receiving yards for his team, with a lot of highlights for ESPN to show off. (Amari Cooper) I don't see either of those happening with Miller. What are we expecting? 5-10 touches per game? Unless he averages 20 yards per play, and 2 touchdowns per game, I don't see him in the Heisman running.

If Elliot runs like he did the last three games last year, then he'll be in contention.
If Jones/Barrett show a bit of improvement from last year, then that guy will be in contention.
Not Miller. Unless he gets those 150-200 yards per game, then comes in later in the season and plays quarterback for a game and gets another 300+ yards... that would be awesome.

 

[pnuts34]

Miller has next to no chance at sniffing the Heisman. Not enough touches and too many weapons on the offense. Idk if our best players will put up big numbers outside of the starting QB because the ball will be spread out so much to so many dangerous weapons. Not to mention Braxton is entering a crowded rotation at H back

 

[jlb1705]

I mentioned this in another thread, but I think it's worth repeating here: WRs have pretty much no chance at the Heisman. Only three have ever done it and the last one was almost 25 years ago in a very down year. Since that time, the likes of Randy Moss, Larry Fitzgerald and Calvin Johnson have come through and none of them have been able to do it. Fitzgerald came the closest - he deserved it and was by far the most dominant player in college football, but still lost to a guy with no knees just because he was the QB on the no.1 team. Braxton Miller is not going to be on the level of a Moss, Fitzgerald or Johnson. By being at Ohio State, he does have a bigger platform than those guys had, but he's also going to be surrounded by more players that deserve touches. He probably won't get to be The Man like those other WRs were.

 

[cincibuck]

The problem is this: Cardale Jones, JT Barrett, Ezekiel Elliott and Joey Bosa. At least three will get Heisman mention along with Brax. In fact, it's the incredible amount of talent on this team that will probably keep ANY Buckeye from winning the Heisman. It works best when the school's hype machine can focus the attention on one player and that just isn't going to happen this year at OSU.

 

[1926Buckeyes]

No. As stated, it's next to impossible to win as a WR/HB. He'd need a 1000rec/1000rush yd season with ~30 TDs and be the clear MVP of the team. Not going to happen.

Even then it'd be a struggle with guys like Kessler, Chubb, and his own teammates.

 

[pnuts34]

Honestly I don't think outside of the QB position well ever see another position win the Heisman using the spread offense. In order for a RB or WR to win the Heisman they'll need to be in a more pro style offense that utilizes them as a main weapon. As much as I'd like to see EzE win it this upcoming year, I don't think he'll put up the same big numbers as he can be rested in blowouts and we should see little drop off, and our passing game will be very deadly as well. Braxton's position change will certainly help his NFL stock though, and greatly help our depth at the WR/H back position