Meyer says injured Ohio State QBs nearing full health

Published Jul. 1, 2015 2:46 p.m. ET

foxsports

Much of the attention as far as the health of the Ohio State quarterbacks this offseason has centered on Braxton Miller, and that is understandable.

Miller, who was to be a senior last fall until a second shoulder injury forced him to have surgery and take a redshirt, has been a star since his freshman year in Scarlet and Gray, and the injury bug has bitten him a few times. He also has a tricky injury that is not as easily put in the past as a broken bone or even a knee or elbow injury given the state of sports medicine today.

But what about J.T. Barrett?

The sophomore who replaced Miller and merely set a record for touchdowns accounted for in one season by a Big Ten player is coming back from a season-ending injury of his own. He was much closer to fully recovered in spring ball as he was able to take a lot of non-contact drills on his surgically repaired lower left leg than Miller, who was only seen doing some soft toss on the side.

And now?

Coach Urban Meyer told attendees of an annual camp he hosts in northeast Ohio the native Texan is "close to 95 percent."

And what about Miller? Per Cleveland.com, Meyer said he "is pretty close to full speed."

That is good news for both players even if it just confirms what was already expected: Meyer and his assistants are not going to have an easy time choosing a starter from the group of Miller, Barrett and Cardale Jones.