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Why is this news?: Braxton Miller looks to build on legacy, Vonn Bell aiming for Thorpe Award

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Vonn Bell has his eyes on big plays and the Thorpe Award
Vonn Bell has his eyes on big plays and the Thorpe Award
Streeter Lecka

"But Ohio State has higher expectations than just winning its division, and without so much as a conference championship -- let alone a national crown -- Miller's legacy at one of college football's most storied programs remains very much incomplete despite the stockpile of individual honors."

-ESPN's Austin Ward on Braxton Miller

Since August 3rd ESPN has run a series of the 25 most interesting people in college football, and today their profile was of Ohio State quarterback Braxton Miller. While Braxton has earned himself numerous personal accolades, so much so that he is running out of space to store all of the awards, his legacy at Ohio State is still incomplete since a Big Ten title and a national championship he eluded the Buckeyes. While Miller and the Buckeyes ran off 24 straight wins between 2012-13, that winning streak has become overshadowed by the two-game losing streak that the team suffered to end last season.

Since taking the helm for the Buckeyes as a freshman, Miller has already led his team to 26 wins during his Ohio State career, which ranks fourth among Ohio State starting quarterbacks all-time. If Miller is able to stay healthy and continue to put up the numbers this season that he has during his career he should be able to break all of the major Ohio State quarterback records. There are questions though for Braxton coming into this as he recovers from offseason shoulder surgery. Miller wasn't able to throw during spring practice, but during that time he was outfitted with a special camera and mic on his hat so that his mental reps could be monitored during spring practice. Along with that tool, Tom Herman has also used 10 or 12 of Jon Gruden's QB Camp videos to try and help Braxton evolve as a quarterback. It could be a special season for the Buckeyes and Miller, but anything less than a Big Ten title sounds to be a letdown for the team.

"Coach Meyer and I have a really good relationship and I told him I am just going to make big plays for him. That's my strenght. I am always going to be around the big play, be that guy where it's like, 'Man, that guy is impressive.' I want to be that guy."

-Ohio State sophomore safety Vonn Bell

We all know how problematic that Ohio State's secondary was last year, but there is one Buckeye that is hoping to take the reigns of the unit and restore some order. Sophomore safety Vonn Bell was a highly touted recruit when he committed to Ohio State prior to last season, but most of the season saw him on the bench behind some of the veteran defensive backs. Many thought that Bell would see more time on the field early in the season when Christian Bryant went down due to a ankle injury, but it wasn't to be as fifth-year senior Corey Brown was sent out to try and replace Bryant. Bell finally got his shot in the Orange Bowl, and gave Buckeye fans a glimpse of the future when he pulled in a interception when it looked like Clemson was going to find the endzone.

With his performance in the Orange Bowl it seemed like a no-brainer that Bell would be in line for a starting spot in the secondary, but that hasn't quite been the case just yet. A torn MCL in the offseason slowed Bell for being inserted into the starting lineup, but it seems like just a matter of time before he earns it. Bell has lofty expectations for himself in his remaining time in Columbus, hoping to earn the Thorpe Award as the top defensive back in the nation. With his hopes to make big plays for Urban Meyer and the Buckeyes, seeing Bell in the secondary in the coming years should be quite the treat for Buckeye fans.

"I had four great years at Alabama, and I felt like I needed to go somewhere else for my last year. I found that right here with the Buckeyes...It's great being here."

-Ohio State offensive lineman Chad Lindsay

The Ohio State secondary isn't the only unit going through an overhaul in the offseason. The offensive line has been forced to replace a number of starters from last year due to graduation. The interior line must replace all three starters, and while Urban Meyer has brought in recruits over the past couple years to try and fill those holes, one player that already has experience on the line and has joined the Buckeyes is former Alabama center Chad Lindsay. After being a part of Alabama's 2011 and 2012 national championship teams, Lindsay took advantage of a NCAA rule that allowed him to transfer and play immediately after graduating from Alabama in four years.

Even with his experience though, Lindsay hasn't yet been giving a starting job on the offensive line, which shows just how deep Ohio State is in terms of offensive lineman. Lindsay is currently battling with junior Jacoby Boren to try and earn the starting center job for the Buckeyes this fall. Along with center, Lindsay also has the ability to play guard if he is needed to. No matter how the competition for spots along the line play out, Lindsay can say that not only has he already won two national championship, but he has also played for both Nick Saban and Urban Meyer. Not too shabby of a college football resume, and hopefully his time in Columbus also him to add to his national championship total.

Two Ohio State defensive lineman land on USA Today Sports' All-America second team

-USA TODAY Sports

Earlier today USA TODAY named their preseason All-America teams, and two Buckeye defensive lineman found themselves on the second team. After a strong freshman season in Columbus, expectations are even higher for Joey Bosa. The Fort Lauderdale native had 13.5 tackles for loss, and 5.5 sacks for the Buckeye defense as he earned himself lots of playing time as a true freshman. He was named honorable mention All-Big Ten last season.

Joining Bosa on the second team is linemate Michael Bennett. Coming into this season Bennett has been a prospect that many will have their eyes on because of his potential to excel in the NFL. The Centerville, Ohio product has registered 17.5 tackles-for-loss and 11 sacks in his career, with 7.5 of those sacks coming last season. Last season Bennett was named second team All-Big Ten by both the coaches and the media.

A notable name not on the first or second team is Ohio State quarterback Braxton Miller, but that is understandable with Oregon QB Marcus Mariota and Florida State star Jameis Winston occupying those spots. Some other Big Ten players on the first team are Nebraska RB Ameer Abdullah, Iowa OT Brandon Scherff, Nebraska DE Randy Gregory, and Michigan State punter Mike Sadler.

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