Jim Henry

Democrat sports editor

Braxton Miller to Florida State?

Why not?

Florida State coach Jimbo Fisher is emerging as one of the top college quarterback coaches in the country.

He has had eight quarterbacks drafted to the NFL since 2001, and 2013 Heisman Trophy winner Jameis Winston is considered one of the top overall selections if the redshirt junior declares for the 2015 NFL Draft as expected.

Miller, meanwhile, is expected to leave Ohio State.

The two-time Big Ten Player of the Year can transfer to any school, without sitting out a year, because he earned his diploma this month at Ohio State, a semester early.

Miller in Garnet & Gold?

Why not?

A shoulder injury in August ended Miller's season. The preseason Heisman candidate was replaced by J.T. Barrett, who went from a relative unknown to a Heisman Trophy candidate (his 34 passing touchdowns are an Ohio State record) before suffering a season-ending ankle injury in the regular season finale against Michigan.

Cardale Jones stepped in and led the Buckeyes past Wisconsin in the Big 10 title game, landing them the fourth seed in the College Football Playoff.

Two is company but three's a crowd and Miller, who is saying all the right things about returning to Ohio State for a fifth season, is the odd man out. This is more about performance than loyalty.

Speculation abounds where Miller might be the best fit, from Alabama to Oregon to Florida to Texas.

Why not Florida State?

Miller, an established leader, offers plenty of value to a team.

Always considered an elite running threat, Miller has focused to become a more well-rounded quarterback.

Fisher, of course, holds his quarterbacks accountable for everything in his pro-style offense, with a heavy emphasis on technique and fundamentals. And it's not like the cupboard's bare either.

Redshirt sophomore Sean Maguire stepped for a suspended Winston against Clemson and played well.

Freshman John Franklin III and J.J. Cosentino also offer plenty of potential.

With more players joining programs as early enrollees - Clemson, for instance, expects to welcome a program-high 17 players in January - Miller could fit in nicely in Tallahassee in January if there's an opening.

And, of course, mutual interest.