Multiple media outlets have confirmed today that Ohio State quarterback Braxton Miller will miss the 2014 college football season after re-injuring his shoulder in practice. The Huber Heights, Ohio native has been the Buckeyes’ starting signal-caller for most of the past three seasons, and was tabbed by many this preseason as a Heisman Trophy contender (he finished 5th in 2012). One of Miller’s first highlights with the Buckeyes came in 2011, when this 40-yard touchdown pass to Devin Smith led Ohio State over the eventual Big Ten champion Wisconsin Badgers (uploaded to YouTube by GameDayESPN):

With Miller gone for the year, Ohio State’s projected new quarterback is J.T. Barrett, a redshirt freshman from Wichita Falls, Texas. Barrett will be replacing a player who began his own Buckeye career as a backup, as Miller only became a starter in the fourth game of 2011, after interim coach Luke Fickell took the job away from Joe Bauserman. But unlike what happened three years ago (and in 2008 too, for that matter), this change is taking place before the start of a season, and because of an injury, not poor performance.

Ohio State opens their 2014 season August 30, against Navy in Baltimore. They are currently ranked in the Top 10 of both the Associated Press and USA Today Coaches polls.

UPDATE (9:25 PM, 8/19/14): Ohio State has released a statement saying that Miller will indeed miss the 2014 college football season. Miller says he plans to graduate in December, then wants to attend graduate school and be ready to play in 2015.