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The Improbable Trinity: Where Are Ohio State's 2014 National Championship Quarterbacks Now?

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The 2014 Ohio State Buckeyes football season remains one of the most improbable and legendary runs in College Football history, a perfect storm of injury, opportunity, and championship destiny fueled by three distinct quarterbacks. The story of Braxton Miller, J.T. Barrett, and Cardale Jones is a masterclass in college football drama, where a single position saw three different stars emerge to claim the inaugural College Football Playoff (CFP) National Championship. As of December 22, 2025, the careers of these three iconic figures have taken incredibly fresh and successful turns, moving from the gridiron to the coaching sidelines and the hallowed halls of fame. The level of talent in that single quarterback room under coach Urban Meyer was unprecedented, creating a "first-world problem" that ultimately became the team’s greatest strength. What began with a devastating preseason injury to a Heisman contender ended with a third-string sophomore leading a dominant three-game stretch against college football royalty. This deep dive explores the careers, the drama, and the surprisingly current status of the trio that delivered Ohio State's first national title in over a decade.

The Unforgettable Biographies of the 2014 Quarterback Trinity

The story of the 2014 season is impossible to tell without first understanding the three players whose careers intersected in spectacular fashion. Each quarterback brought a unique skill set and personal journey to the Ohio State program.
  • Braxton Miller
    • Date of Birth: November 30, 1992
    • Hometown: Springfield, Ohio
    • College Career: Starting QB from 2011–2013, winning back-to-back Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year awards. Missed the entire 2014 season due to injury, returning in 2015 as a wide receiver/H-back.
    • Professional Career: Drafted by the Houston Texans (2016). Also spent time with the Philadelphia Eagles and Carolina Panthers.
    • Current Status (2025): Miller was inducted into the prestigious Ohio State Athletics Hall of Fame class of 2024, solidifying his legacy as one of the program's all-time greats.
  • J.T. Barrett
    • Date of Birth: January 23, 1995
    • Hometown: Wichita Falls, Texas
    • College Career: Took over as the starter in 2014. Set numerous records, finished fifth in Heisman Trophy voting, and was named Big Ten Quarterback of the Year. Holds the Ohio State and Big Ten career records for total offense and touchdowns responsible for.
    • Professional Career: Spent time with the New Orleans Saints and Pittsburgh Steelers.
    • Current Status (2025): After retiring as a player, Barrett quickly moved into coaching. He served as an assistant with the Detroit Lions before being hired as the Quarterbacks Coach for the Chicago Bears, where he is tasked with developing high-profile young talent. This rapid ascent in the NFL coaching ranks highlights his football acumen.
  • Cardale Jones
    • Date of Birth: September 29, 1992
    • Hometown: Cleveland, Ohio
    • College Career: The third-string quarterback who achieved legendary status by leading the Buckeyes to three consecutive postseason victories, including the CFP National Championship, in his first three career starts.
    • Professional Career: Drafted by the Buffalo Bills (2016). Also played for the Los Angeles Chargers, Seattle Seahawks, and in the XFL.
    • Current Status (2025): Jones retired from professional football in 2019. He is now an active voice in the college football landscape, often providing commentary and insight, and is involved in the Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) space, having previously returned to Ohio State to finish his degree.

The Three-Act Play: A Season of Unprecedented Quarterback Drama

The 2014 season was defined by a series of shocking events that continuously reset the team's destiny. The first act began just before the season opener.

Act I: The Fall of a Star and the Rise of a Freshman

The Buckeyes entered the 2014 season with sky-high expectations, largely due to two-time Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year, Braxton Miller. Miller was a Heisman Trophy candidate and the undisputed leader of the offense run by head coach Urban Meyer and offensive coordinator Tom Herman. The shockwave hit the program in August when Miller suffered a season-ending torn labrum in his shoulder during practice. This instantly thrust redshirt freshman J.T. Barrett into the starting role, a player few outside the program knew. The team suffered an early home loss to Virginia Tech, which dropped them out of the national title picture and led to widespread doubt about the season's trajectory. Barrett, however, responded with a season for the ages. He immediately settled the offense, becoming one of the most prolific passers in Ohio State history. He led the Buckeyes to an 11-1 record, setting new single-season records for passing touchdowns (34) and total offense. His Heisman campaign was in full swing, and the Buckeyes had climbed back to a top-five ranking.

Act II: Injury Strikes Again and the Third Man Up

The second critical turning point came in the final game of the regular season against rival Michigan. With the Buckeyes leading, Barrett scrambled and was tackled, suffering a broken ankle that ended his season. The team's national championship hopes seemed to vanish in an instant. With Braxton Miller out and J.T. Barrett sidelined, the fate of the team fell to the third-string quarterback, sophomore Cardale Jones. Jones had played sparingly in his career and was famously known for a tweet questioning the value of classes. The general consensus was that Ohio State, despite its talent, was now too vulnerable to compete with the nation's elite.

Cardale's Cinderella Run: The Three Games That Defined a Dynasty

Cardale Jones's three starts in the postseason—the Big Ten Championship, the Sugar Bowl, and the CFP National Championship—are legendary, cementing his place in Ohio State lore as "12 Gauge."

1. The Big Ten Championship vs. Wisconsin (59-0)

Jones’s first career start was against the No. 11 Wisconsin Badgers, a team led by Heisman finalist Melvin Gordon. Jones silenced all critics immediately. He commanded the offense, throwing for 257 yards and 3 touchdowns in a stunning 59-0 shutout victory. The dominant performance secured the Big Ten title and, improbably, propelled the Buckeyes into the inaugural College Football Playoff as the No. 4 seed.

2. The Sugar Bowl Semifinal vs. Alabama (42-35)

The No. 4 Buckeyes faced the No. 1 Alabama Crimson Tide, coached by Nick Saban, in the Sugar Bowl. Alabama was a massive favorite, and the game was viewed as a measuring stick for the Big Ten. Jones, in only his second career start, stood toe-to-toe with the perennial powerhouse. He completed 18 of 35 passes for 243 yards and a touchdown, including a crucial 47-yard pass to Devin Smith in the fourth quarter. Running back Ezekiel Elliott stole the show with 230 rushing yards, but Jones's poise was the key to the 42-35 upset.

3. The CFP National Championship vs. Oregon (42-20)

In the title game against the No. 2 Oregon Ducks and Heisman winner Marcus Mariota, Jones was making his third and final start of the season. He completed 16 of 23 passes for 242 yards and a touchdown. More importantly, he used his powerful 6'5", 250-pound frame to run for a crucial short-yardage touchdown. The offense, orchestrated by Jones and featuring a historic performance by Elliott (246 yards, 4 TDs), steamrolled the Ducks 42-20. In three career starts, Cardale Jones had delivered the national championship.

More Than a Game: The Lasting Legacy and Where They Are Now

The 2014 season is more than a championship; it is a testament to coaching, depth, and the resilience of three young men. The season’s success launched or redefined the careers of numerous key figures: * Urban Meyer: The National Championship cemented his legacy as one of the greatest college football coaches. * Ezekiel Elliott: His legendary three-game championship run (696 total yards, 8 TDs) made him a national star and a future top-five NFL Draft pick. * Tom Herman: The offensive coordinator who managed the three-quarterback situation won the Broyles Award (nation's top assistant coach) and immediately parlayed his success into the head coaching job at Houston. The current careers of the quarterback trio in 2025 demonstrate the lasting impact of that year's success. J.T. Barrett's transition to an NFL quarterbacks coach is a direct result of his deep understanding of the position developed under Urban Meyer. Braxton Miller's Hall of Fame induction acknowledges his career's totality, including his selfless move to wide receiver in 2015 to help the team. Cardale Jones, having finished his degree, continues to be an ambassador for the program, a symbol of seizing an opportunity when the odds are stacked against you. The 2014 season was a perfect storm of unpredictable events that resulted in a dynasty-defining championship. The three quarterbacks—Miller, Barrett, and Jones—are forever linked by the trophy they delivered, and their contemporary success proves that the talent in that 2014 quarterback room was truly generational.
The Improbable Trinity: Where Are Ohio State's 2014 National Championship Quarterbacks Now?
ohio state qb 2014
ohio state qb 2014

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