In the span of roughly a month, Cardale Jones went from third-string quarterback to the guy who led Ohio State to upset wins over Alabama and Oregon en route to a national championship. Was that enough to secure a starting job heading into the 2015 season?
Jones doesn’t think so.
Earlier this week, Jones said he doesn’t feel like he has proven anything.
“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,” he told Austin Ward of ESPN. “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.”
Jones began the season third on the Ohio State depth chart behind Braxton Miller and J.T. Barrett. Miller was a Heisman Trophy candidate before injuring his shoulder prior to the season, and Barrett emerged as one before suffering a leg injury.
Jones understands that you can’t just cast those two guys to the side.
“I’m kind of harder on myself than the coaches, but I was thrown into that position,” he said. “I didn’t beat out J.T. going into the Michigan game. I didn’t beat out Braxton. Unfortunately both guys got hurt, and luckily enough I was prepared to try to take advantage of the situation.”
Urban Meyer has already indicated that he is having a hard time making a decision for the upcoming season, and you can understand why. While most coaches would kill for Ohio State’s quarterback “problem,” things can get complicated when there are too many cooks in the kitchen.
H/T Dr. Saturday
