CHICAGO — Ohio State players don’t discuss the ongoing quarterback competition, also known as the hottest topic of this college football preseason.

They don’t think about it either. That’s for the coaches.

Linebacker Joshua Perry suggested Urban Meyer could make the decision between J.T. Barrett and Cardale Jones easier if he just put a player panel together.

“We could put names in a hat or something,” Perry said. “Draw straws or whatever it is. Would be fun.”

He was completely joking and said in all honesty he wouldn’t want to make the decision Meyer has in front of him.

“Heck no,” he said. “They don’t pay me the big bucks.

“You’ve got two quality guys. Take football out of it. Two guys you want to spend time around. You see them in the morning and you get energy from them.”

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At Big Ten Media Days on Thursday, Meyer described his process of deciding who his quarterback will be. He and strength coach Mickey Marotti keep a score sheet on everything from leadership to academics to 7-on-7 performances.

“It’s going to be — when I say there’s not a gut instinct involved, there will be,” Meyer said. “But there’s also going to be a lot of statistical data that we chart and watch very closely. And they’ve earned that right. You’re talking about two to three very invested people and incredible families and what they did.

“This is, to think about this is not, I don’t want to say overwhelming. But when you talk about the history of Ohio State football, every one of their names has a prominent role in that history book. And that’s real.”

Braxton Miller recently dropped out of the race when he decided it would be in his best interest to become an H-back and wide receiver. Though Meyer has called the official decision on that “premature,” he said a two-man competition is simpler than one with three players.

“The problem with trying to get three quarterbacks ready is how do you get one ready?” he said. “It’s impossible if they haven’t played. The good thing is we’re not in that situation. I’ve been in that situation before where you want to create a little competition but if you take reps away from your starter that hasn’t played much then you’re just slowing his growth.

“If we decide to move with Braxton at H, it’s much easier to develop quarterbacks. Three is hard.”

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Barrett and Jones are friends, but have completely different personalities. Barrett is more high strung and serious, while Jones is silly and vocal on Twitter. That doesn’t make either of them more or less talented on the field though.

“J.T. is so mature,” defensive lineman Adolphus Washington said. “You know how most guys, when they come in act like they’re still in high school? J.T. came in very mature. He understands the concept of winning.

“It’s impressive. He’s been nothing but a leader ever since he stepped on campus.”

Barrett was named Ohio State’s starting quarterback about a week before the 2014 season began after Miller was declared our for the year with a shoulder injury. After a Heisman-caliber season leading the Buckeyes to a 10-1 record, he fractured his ankle in the regular season finale against Michigan.

“From the day he was the starting quarterback, we knew he was going to lead us in the right direction,” Washington said. “His maturity, his understanding of the game and the way he handles his business. He’s got winning written all over it.”

Jones of course stepped right up after Barrett went down and led Ohio State to 59-0 romp over Wisconsin in the Big Ten championship game, his first start. He followed that up with a Sugar Bowl win over Alabama and a national championship victory over Oregon. His personality, sense of humor and flare is refreshing for the game, and he’s probably the most active tweeter in college football history.

“Cardale is definitely getting better at leadership,” Washington said. “Cardale is more laid back, likes to have fun. But as far as a football player, they’re pretty equal. It’s just two different personalities.”

And there lies Meyer’s problem.

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