No matter how well freshman J.T. Barrett performs this season, Ohio State coach Urban Meyer made it perfectly clear Monday that Braxton Miller will be his starting quarterback in 2015.

"Braxton is our quarterback," Meyer told reporters. "To be fair to Braxton, Big Ten Player of the Year. But it's good to know we've got both of them."

Miller, the two-time defending Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year, had season-ending surgery for a torn labrum Aug. 26. He still was voted a captain by the Buckeyes' players and is a presence on the sideline during games.

Barrett has guided the No. 20 Buckeyes to a 3-1 mark this season, completing 63.6 percent of his passes for 1,087 yards and 13 touchdowns to go with five interceptions. He also has rushed for 205 yards and a score.

Miller, who threw for 4,133 yards and 39 touchdowns over the previous two seasons, has continued to say that he will return to Ohio State next season.

"I love Ohio State and Buckeye Nation, and my goal is to come back from this injury stronger and better than ever," Miller said in August. "I am on course to graduate in December and I want to attend graduate school, and then return to lead the Buckeyes next season."