Jul 24, 2015 12:35 PM EDT By Russell Westerholm, UniversityHerald Reporter

When Braxton Miller called himself the "best athlete in college football" in an interview with the Columbus Dispatch earlier this month, arguing seemed futile.

Now, as he told Sports Illustrated, he will work out as a hybrid-back and punt returner ahead of the regular season while he strengthens his shoulder enough to play quarterback. As if his ridiculous stats were not enough to assure Buckeye fans of the switch, here are five plays that prove Miller will be a lethal h-back.

The hybrid-back is a classic college football position that has made its way to the NFL with more teams adopting college-style spread offenses and read option plays. Few coaches (but probably none) run the spread offense better than Ohio State head football coach Urban Meyer, while Miller may well have been born to execute the option.

1. Oct. 29, 2011: Home v Wisconsin

Miller takes the snap in the pistol formation, a shotgun variation in which there is a halfback behind ready to take a pitch from the QB. Needing just two yards for a first down, Miller reads the blocking ahead of him and blazes through a wide-open hole for a 44-yard touchdown.

2. Nov. 5, 2011: Home v Indiana

This time, Miller is in the shotgun with a halfback lined up to his right, a classic 2nd-and-long formation, needing 12 yards for a first down. The play is a designed draw, so Miller drops back as if to pass before taking off. He bursts through the lane, gaining the first down easily, and makes savvy cuts and changes in direction en route to an 81-yard touchdown run.

3. Sept.15, 2012: Home v Cal

The formation is shotgun with a halfback on his left and the play is a fake handoff, only the defense does not buy it. It matters not, as Miller makes three devastating sidesteps to get into the open field and, well...

4. Nov. 30, 2013: Away v Michigan

The empty backfield stretches the defense like nothing else, but it also leaves the least amount backfield protection. On this draw play, Miller evades an edge rush before slicing through the middle of the field for a 53-yard touchdown run.

5. Jan. 3, 2014: Orange Bowl v Clemson

The player wearing number 1 appears to be the h-back in this shotgun read option. Miller keeps it, naturally, and makes a downright unfair open-field move, "the ol' Walter Payton" step, as the announcer called it.

So what does it all mean? That Meyer has several options and can feasibly play three extremely talented QBs - Miller, J.T. Barrett, Cardale Jones - at the same time.

Miller/Barrett at QB: Barrett's build and skill set resemble Miller, so either could theoretically play the h-back, allowing for some creative read option trick plays. Jones could line up as a tight end or a wide receiver thanks to his big build and surprising athleticism. He would, however, be a blocking liability.

Jones at QB: Miller and Barrett simply cannot command the pocket or chuck the ball downfield the way Jones does because they are a head shorter and are not nicknamed "12 Gauge." Jones may lack polish and experience as a passer, but the ability is there and he will have plenty of help. Plus, Miller and Barrett would make a tantalizing dual-h-back combination.

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