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Future Pros: Canadian Jerome Miller

Future Pros: Canadian Jerome Miller

By Michael Preston

Photo Zach Anderson-Boland

It seemed Jerome Miller’s college football career would never get off the ground – until, that is, they gave him the ball and told him to run with it. Toronto native Miller has done just that.

The former Vanier Prep star, who was the number-one ranked Canadian rushing prospect when he was entering the college ranks, has been tearing through opposing defenses for Missouri-Rolla this season. The redshirt freshman has carried the ball 71 times for 334 yards and 3 touchdowns, making him the team’s second leading rusher going into the final game of the regular season.

But Miller’s 2007 campaign did not really spark into life until the eighth game of the year.

“At the beginning of the year I came in as the number two running back and felt I should have been the number one,” explained Miller. “We were passing the ball a lot and only running 10 or 12 times a game, so my performances were being judged on how well I pass blocked.

“I started getting really hungry from not playing, so I talked to my coach about it, he put me in, and we started running the ball a lot and also more effectively.”

Miller’s belief in himself was justified in that eighth game of the season when he carried the ball 16 times for a career-high 138 yards and the final touchdown of a 44-28 in over Central State, which was only the Miners’ second win of the year. A week later the ball was placed in his hands again and Miller led the team again with 18 carries for 112 yards and a touchdown as Lincoln was humbled 48-10.

Miller continued: “So now I am the featured back and we do run the ball a lot more now. I am very grateful for that opportunity. I believe I run harder than everyone else.”

Miller’s frustration at not seeing more meaningful action earlier in the season was unleashed after he had been unexpectedly red-shirted for his freshman year.

“Originally there was no initial plan for me to be redshirted,” he explained. “There were possibilities of me starting but due to clearing house issues with my grades they tagged me as ineligible, so that’s why I couldn’t play.

“It upset me a lot because I’ve never not played or practiced before in my life. It was hard to adapt to that at first, and as the season went on I had to show the coaches that I should be here playing the following year and not just on the scout team.

“That actually helped me a lot in the end, knowing I had the respect of the players and also the defensive coaches because I played scout team against the first team for every practice, which, believe me, isn’t fun.”

Miller’s assumption that he would play as a freshman was justified. As the top-ranked back north of the border, he was courted by Boston College, Illinois State and Connecticut and expected to sign with a Division I school.

“I had a personal workout with BC and a couple of other teams and was talking to some more, but in the end I felt like the Canadian thing came into play and they thought that players in my position were a dime a dozen in the States,” said Miller. “I thought things were going well but in the end I was passed by, so that was really hard to deal with.

“I actually knew nothing about Division II schools because I was being recruited by D-I schools. I was at a Ron Diaz combine in Montreal and the Missouri Rolla coaches were there and then they saw me run in Toronto at another combine. The next day I got a call and the rest is history.

“I was waiting on signing day for Illinois State to take me, but they decided not to pick up another running back.”

But for Miller, the opportunity to play at Missouri Rolla has been a positive one.

“I enjoy the weather a lot!” he added. “It doesn’t get very cold and even now in November the weather is good for wearing shorts. But seriously, the school atmosphere is very friendly and they love the football and everyone is very into the team. You are treated like family here.”

Although Miller still has three years beyond this season to enjoy his college football, he already has his sights set on the future and is in no doubt as to where his goals lie. Like many fellow college football players, the sky is his limit.

“The NFL is definitely my main goal and priority,” he said. “I feel I can contribute and compete, and of course the CFL is always a great league and I would love to play there especially for the Argos.”

But for the meantime, Missouri Rolla remains his focus.

“I just want to be a great player and contribute wherever I am,” he added. “I run the ball very hard and my vision is very on-point. I can see any holes and cut backs and when I see that hole I have the vision to hit it hard and get beyond to see the play through. I think people will see that in me.

“Growing up I always thought that I could be the best. One day hope to be remembered as one of the great backs in school history and in college history.”

Miller’s own personal motto sums up the dogged determination that has brought him this far and will go a long way to helping his realize his dreams.

“I want to be ‘bigger, stronger, faster, better’.