Cardale Jones: 'I'm not ready' for NFL

DALLAS -- One day after leading Ohio State to a national title, quarterback Cardale Jones said he hasn't made a decision about the NFL but added that he's "not ready for that level yet."

Jones, Ohio State's third-string quarterback, was promoted to starter after season-ending injuries to Braxton Miller and backup J.T. Barrett. The 250-pound third-year sophomore's rsum includes three starts -- a Big Ten title, a Sugar Bowl title and a 42-20 win over No. 2 Oregon in the College Football Playoff National Championship presented by AT&T.

Jones threw for 242 yards and a touchdown and ran for another score against the Ducks.

"I mean, it's very odd," Jones said at Tuesday morning's news conference for the title game winners. "You know, I'm going to be starting three games in three years, and you know, guys play their whole career to have that buildup and have that motivation to play in the NFL. In my personal opinion, I'm not ready for that level yet. I mean, like coach [Urban] Meyer said, it's a conversation me and him will have later down the road. But to me right now, it's far out."

Meyer said he's not ready to talk about what the team's quarterback situation will look like next season, but he reiterated late last week that he expected Miller to return. Barrett told reporters after Monday's game that he expected all of the quarterbacks to return.

"At some point I think I'll be ready to comment on it and have that conversation," Meyer said. "... At some point there will be some conversations, and I think you guys know by now we're pretty transparent about everything we do, and at the appropriate time we'll have those conversations."

Cleveland Cavaliers star LeBron James could be seen embracing Jones after Monday's game. He was asked at shootaround Tuesday if he had any advice for the QB about declaring for the NFL draft.

"I'm not telling you guys the advice I would give him," James said. "It would be a headline. I don't want the attention distracted away from him. Let him make his own decision. But I will talk to him, but I'm not telling you guys what I'll say."

Meyer, meanwhile, was also asked Monday about his interest in the NFL, and he said, "Not right now."

"I've got a commitment to Ohio State and these players," Meyer said. "I love what I'm doing. Not right now."

ESPN.com's Dave McMenamin contributed to this report.