Cardale Jones: I haven’t proven enough to be labeled starter
Cardale Jones isn’t presuming anything as he prepares to compete with Braxton Miller and J.T. Barrett for the Ohio State starting quarterback job.
Jones, who started the final three games of the season as the Buckeyes won the College Football Playoff, said he felt he hasn’t proven enough to be labeled Ohio State’s starting quarterback at this point, even though he’s the most recent Buckeye to start a game under center.
We as a team and me as an individual get a lot of praise for how well we did in those games, but I didn’t even grade out as a champion as far as coach’s standards,” Jones said. “I haven’t proven anything yet. I haven’t proven anything to myself, my teammates, my coaches to label myself as a starter. That’s my opinion, my personal opinion.
“I’m kind of harder on myself than the coaches, but I was thrown into that position. I didn’t beat out J.T. [Barrett] going into the Michigan game. I didn’t beat out Braxton [Miller]. Unfortunately both guys got hurt, and luckily enough I was prepared to try to take advantage of the situation.”
That thought process probably played into Jones’ mind when discussion turned to the NFL draft after Ohio State’s title run. With the prospect of the three-man competition ahead, many wondered if Jones should capitalize on the victories over Wisconsin, Alabama and Oregon and head to the NFL. Yes, he didn’t have much playing time, but at 6-5, 250 pounds with an incredibly strong arm, he has NFL measurables.
When he announced his intention to return to Ohio State, Jones said the NFL wasn’t even a consideration after just three games a starter.
Miller and Barrett are expected to both be healthy for the start of Ohio State’s fall practices. Barrett suffered a broken ankle against Michigan while Miller missed the entire season because of a re-injury to his throwing shoulder. Coach Urban Meyer recently said that Miller was throwing up to 35 yards.
Not only is Jones saying he shouldn’t be considered the starter, he’s said he’s acting as if both Miller and Barrett are ahead of him entering the season. We’re not going to go as far as to say it’s the right mindset to have; we’re all motivated by different things. Though given the circumstances of how Jones got the starting quarterback job, considering himself to be a challenger for the job isn’t a bad idea.
Will both Barrett and Miller be ahead of him when the season begins in September? Who knows. And it’s why Ohio State will be by far August’s most fascinating team.
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Nick Bromberg is the assistant editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter!
