OSU QB Miller, WR Thomas forming a strong connection

By Tim May

Columbus Dispatch

COLUMBUS

Ohio State quarterback Braxton Miller took a liking to receiver Michael Thomas when they played in an all-star game in Florida, and it’s apparent the connection has grown even stronger now that they are full-time teammates.

“We work [together] all the time in the weight room,” Miller said of Thomas. “I pick him up. We go in there, work out, watch some film and go catch some balls.”

In leading the Scarlet to a 20-14 win over the Gray on Saturday in the Ohio State spring game, Miller completed 24 passes, 12 of them to Thomas. To put that in perspective, Ohio State had three players tie for the lead in receptions last season with 14 each.

After the game, Miller had gone back to the Woody Hayes Athletic Center before being summoned back to the stadium to meet with the media. And Thomas?

“He was on the Jugs right now before I left,” Miller said, referring to a machine that can throw passes mechanically, which Thomas found out from coach Urban Meyer during the winter was available for use at any time. “So he’s just kind of growing up, trying to be a good receiver.”

Thomas, originally from Taft High School in Woodland Hills, Calif., and Miller were teammates in the Under Armour All-America game in Florida in January 2011.

While Miller went on to enroll early at Ohio State and become the starting quarterback four games into the 2011 season, Thomas, nephew of former Southern California receiver Keyshawn Johnson, went to Fork Union (Va.) Military Academy.

Thomas committed to Ohio State in October and enrolled in January, He and Miller have been hooking up ever since, and Miller thinks Thomas bring a lot to the table.

“More excitement, he goes up for the ball, he gets [yards] after the catch,” Miller said. “That’s what we’re looking for.”

Not to be forgotten

Running back Jordan Hall couldn’t play because of an ankle sprain, but that doesn’t mean he was forgotten. When Meyer was asked about his pecking order at running back coming out of the spring practice, he said it would be “Jordan Hall, Carlos Hyde, Rod Smith and Brionte Dunn.”