Braxton Miller is short on experience.
And that’s a little hard to imagine when you consider the Ohio State star is a two-time Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year.
Where he lacks experience is at wide receiver and on special teams — the areas where he figures to make his greatest impact in the NFL.
What Miller isn’t short on is confidence.
After one particularly dazzling practice at the Senior Bowl in February, where the 6-foot-1-inch, 201-pounder looked like a natural receiver — moving smoothly and swiftly, and snagging everything thrown in his direction — Miller was asked what position he hoped to play in the NFL.
“Playmaker,’’ he said with a big smile and without a hint of hesitation — the same way he plays football. “I want to be a playmaker.’’
It was a perfectly understandable answer considering that is what Miller has always been, no matter where he was listed in the Buckeyes’ game-day program or where he lined up on the field.
He made his bones in Columbus as a quarterback, throwing for 5,293 yards and 52 touchdowns in his first three seasons. He threw for more than 1,000 yards as a freshman in 2011, but his career really took off when Urban Meyer arrived on campus the next season.
The Miller- and Meyer-led Buckeyes went 12-0 in 2012 (though they were ineligible for a bowl game or the national title) and 12-2 in 2013.
Over those two seasons, Miller threw for 4,133 yards and 39 TDs. He added another 2,339 yards rushing with an additional 25 TDs. It was about as dominant a two-year run for a player and a program as it gets. At least for a program outside of Tuscaloosa, Ala.
The sky was the limit for 2014. But the sky fell for Miller when he suffered a shoulder injury and he missed the season. The Buckeyes rallied, however, and won the national championship, led by backup quarterbacks J.T. Barrett and Cardale Jones.
While a quarterback controversy brewed in the aftermath of that championship season, Miller stepped up again. He announced he was switching to receiver for his final season, gaining another level of respect from his coaches and teammates for his unselfishness and maturity.
Though his numbers weren’t eye-popping last season — 25 catches for 340 yards and 3 TDs — Miller showed flashes of what he could be at the next level: a playmaker.
“From the very first catch he made early in the Virginia Tech game, Cardale Jones has him open on a post route and Cardale is off target and [Miller] winds up diving and making a really hard, extended catch,’’ said ESPN analyst Todd McShay. “He only dropped one pass the entire year. That’s pretty impressive for a guy that didn’t have any experience at the wide receiver position.’’
Miller has no regrets about his position switch. He’s even happy about it.
“Absolutely, for sure,’’ he said. “I love it. I’m just thankful to play football again. I’m out here doing what I love to do and putting everything in God’s hands. That’s what I’ve been doing, just perfecting my craft. That’s what I’ve been doing since I switched positions.’’
Miller said his time at quarterback has been invaluable to his development at receiver.
“Reading defenses, how you can point out things even before the play even starts,’’ he said. “I know it all from playing quarterback. It ties into receiver a lot.’’
He was one of the top performers at the Senior Bowl.
“That was my goal,’’ he said. “Just to show I’m capable of doing whatever any receiver in the country can do. I wanted to make sure my name was in the mix.’’
He also got his first real taste of special teams during his week in Mobile, Ala.
“He fielded a lot of punts and kicks and looked really natural doing it,’’ said McShay.
Miller shined again at the NFL Combine.
In Indianapolis, he was the top performer in the 20-yard shuttle (4.07 seconds) and the 60-yard shuttle (10.84), and was third in the three-cone drill (6.65).
So, would a player with Miller’s résumé be attractive to the Patriots, who have back-to-back picks in the second round — the round where many have Miller slotted?
“He’s the kind of guy they like,’’ said ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. “He’s a versatile guy. He’s athletic, strong, a great kid.’’
In New England, where there is already a stacked arsenal of pass catchers and return men, Miller would be allowed to develop his game at receiver and returner. He wouldn’t be asked to be “the guy’’ right away.
“He needs some coaching — he was underutilized last season — but he’s got all the talent in the world,’’ said Kiper. “He would fill a developmental role. There are some receivers that are hole-fillers right away. More proven entities. But for what the Patriots look for, he’s a fit, and they always seem to grab an Urban Meyer guy.’’
McShay agreed that Miller could be a fit in Foxborough.
“His route-running is improving, I think,’’ said McShay. “He’ll get there. He’s got some little things to work on, but you put the ball in his hands and he’s explosive. I think he can help in the return game. To me, he’s probably worth a late second-round pick.’’
Miller has his sights set a little higher. Asked if he thinks of himself as a first-round talent, he flashed that patented confidence and smile.
“Do I think? Oh, I know for sure,’’ said Miller. “With the way I work?’’
Work. Another thing that’s valued in Foxborough.
Jim McBride can be reached at james.mcbride@globe.com.
