Ventrell

Miller

Head coach Doug Pederson didn’t offer any specifics on Miller’s injury, but the rookie fourth-round pick is now expected to miss the season. The Jaguars selected Miller with the No. 121 pick in this year’s draft to bolster their linebacking corps. Miller appeared in three preseason games, totaling six tackles, three pressures, and one sack per PFF.

A staple of the Florida program since his arrival in 2017, Miller (6’0/232) recorded 238 tackles, 23.5 TFL, and seven PBU during his tenure as a Gator. He finished fourth in the SEC in solo tackles in 2020 with 52, but never received all-conference recognition for his solid, workmanlike performance. The Lakeland, FL native is at his best when crashing down in run support, filling gaps, and shedding blockers. While Miller can be depended on to make the proper reads, his lack of high-end athletic traits and stiff hips will likely limit him to being a box linebacker and run-specialist when he’s not flying down the field on kick/punt coverage. It’s hard to imagine Miller holding up in space at the NFL level and his frame is on the small side to be relied on as a true interior thumper on an every-down basis. Still, Miller held up well in the rugged SEC East for half a decade, which bodes well for his ability to hold down an NFL roster spot in some capacity.

Miller had surgery in December, putting him at four months removed from the injury. Getting cleared should help move Miller up some boards going into Day 3 of the draft. Miller, a 33-game starter at Florida, had pre-draft visits with the Seahawks, Bucs, and Chargers.

Miller (6'1/226) has been added to the Butkus Award watch list in each of the previous two seasons. The sixth-year super senior has been a starter for the Gators since 2019 but appeared in only two games last season after an injury cut his year short. During his 2020 campaign, Miller totaled a career-high 86 tackles, 7.5 TFLs and 3.5 sacks and was twice named SEC Defensive Player of the Week. Under new head coach Billy Napier, Miller will look to close out his career on a high note before setting his sights on the NFL.

Miller (6'0/222) was injured on a big hit, went to the medical tent and then headed to the locker room. He had been practicing in a non-contact jersey this week, so it’s possible he could have aggravated a preexisting injury. Consider him questionable to return.

Miller was one of four Gators reinstated from year-long suspensions following alleged credit card fraud. He was a three-star recruit coming out of high school.