Game 6 Player to Watch: Bryce Miller
NEXT GAME: BYU (2-3, independent) at USF (2-3, 1-1 in AAC)
DAY/TIME: Saturday/3:30 p.m.
LOCATION: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa
TV/RADIO: CBS Sports Network/USF Radio Network:
Over the Air: WDAE 95.3 FM/620 AM &
Digital: Bulls Unlimited
SERIES: First meeting. Next meeting Sept. 25, 2021 in Provo, Utah
GAME NOTES: USF |
BYU
TICKETS: USFBullsTix.com
By TOM ZEBOLD
USF Senior Writer
TAMPA, OCT. 11, 2019 – Sophomore
Bryce Miller is running to the end zone in a role that walk-on receivers across the country dream of playing when they put on the pads.
USF's starter in the slot is tied for the team lead with three touchdown catches - all in the past two weeks - heading into Saturday's homecoming game against BYU and he's hungry for much more.
"It's awesome for me," he said. "All the hard work is finally paying off. It's fun getting opportunities. I just want to make the most of them."
Miller's meteoric rise to starter status began with what seemed like a modest opportunity when he joined the Bulls last fall as a transfer from NAIA Southeastern University in nearby Lakeland. Despite his all-state accolades as a senior at East Lake High School, Miller was overlooked by lots of college programs and just wanted a chance to show what he could do at the Division I level.
"I'm just blessed I got the opportunity to come in and be able able to fight for the starting job," he said. "I didn't think it would be like that."
Due to transfer rules, Miller spent his first season with the Bulls as a member of the scout team who picked up tips from established seniors like
Tyre McCants and
Ryeshene Bronson.
"They were the slot receivers and I was behind them," Miller said. "I would watch them during practice – their mentality and how they approach the game."
What Miller didn't have to learn was a strong work ethic that helped earn him more reps, something he reaped the benefits of during spring ball. Using his all-out style, Miller made play after play, day after day, including a 10-yard touchdown catch in the spring game.
"My mindset has always been just to go out and give 100 percent every play, no matter what," he said. "After making plays, you just build. I kept wanting to do it every day going out there."
Once fall camp rolled around, Miller picked up right where he left off and continued to make an impression on USF's new offensive coordinator.
Kerwin Bell's #PlayFastScoreFaster system requires receivers to run precise routes, which Miller has done on the regular thanks to countless repetitions in the offseason.
"He's been productive every day we go out," said Bell back in early August. "He catches balls, he makes plays and so we've got to find a place to play him."
Bell's belief in Miller's abilities kept growing as the season got underway. Back in the Bay, the St. Petersburg native hauled in three catches during the home opener against Wisconsin and bigger plays were there for him at Raymond James Stadium three games later. Against SMU, Miller followed up a 37-yard reception with his first touchdown as a Bull from 13 yards out in the fourth quarter.
"Sitting out last year and being able to get in the zone again, that adrenaline rush is a good feeling," said Miller, who has registered a reception in four of the Bulls' first five games.
Last Saturday was truly Miller's time to shine as a first-ever starter for the Bulls and he didn't disappoint. Miller sparked USF's 48-point outing at UConn with a 12-yard touchdown reception in the first quarter and added another 12-yard scoring catch in the third quarter. The solid performance helped bring Miller's season stat line up to 10 receptions for 128 yards (12.8 ypc).
"It felt really good," he said. "For it to be my first start and being able to have a game like that just builds my confidence for the rest of the season."
Receiver the Right Position for Miller
Miller's path to catching passes for the Bulls started in St. Petersburg, where he was originally running the ball as a Little League back who got going in the sport at age 4 or 5.
"I loved it the first time I played it," he said. "Scoring touchdowns, it was fun."
Once it was time for high school, Miller became a receiver and had a lot of fun as a senior with 56 receptions for 916 yards and 16 touchdowns on the way to FloridaHSFootball.com all-state first team honors.
"I just love being able to get one-on-one matchups," he said. "You can win a lot more with one-on-one matchups than being a running back."
Now equipped with excellent route-running skills, Miller is starting to thrive as a "man-beater" in the slot who matches up well against the "third or fourth-best coverage guy," according to coordinator
Kerwin Bell.
"Anybody can just run a route and make a hard throw for the quarterback. We want it where my grandmother can make the throw, it's so wide open," Bell said. "Miller is making those kind of routes easy for our quarterbacks for completions because he's so wide open."
More Miller Facts
- SUPPORTIVE, ATHLETIC PARENTS: Growing up in St. Petersburg, Miller always could rely on his parents' support as his football career progressed. "Ever since I was little, they went to every game," he said. "My mom brought me to all my camps. Away games, everything, she's never missed a game. My dad's always been there, too." Miller also played baseball growing up and competed in track and field in high school with athleticism he got from his loving parents. Miller's father, Mike, was a receiver in high school who went on to play basketball for Ohio University. Miller's mother, Kim, played high school soccer in Ohio, where his parents met.
- MILLER HAS MADDEN GAME: One of the things Miller likes to do at USF is bond with teammates while playing Madden, a video game that brings out the fierce competitor in him. "I'm the best player on the team, actually besides Jernard Phillips," he said. Miller noted starting quarterback Jordan McCloud also is really good at the game, "but I've got the better record over him." Miller is a big fan of former receiver Jordy Nelson and the Green Bay Packers, but choosing Madden teams is always about matching up well with his teammates' picks. "I switch it up," Miller said.
- EAST LAKE TALENT: Miller was in some pretty good receiving company during his time at East Last High School. Miller's teammates included George Campbell (FSU/West Virginia) and Artavis Scott, a member of Clemson's 2016 national title team who now plays for the Los Angeles Chargers.
ABOUT USF FOOTBALL
Having completed just its 22nd season of football, and 19th at the FBS level, the USF football program has earned 10 bowl appearances, including a current run of four straight, and owns a record of 6-3 in bowl games. The Bulls have appeared in the national top 25 rankings in each of the past three seasons, including a program record run of 20 straight weeks in the top 25, and in 2018 reached the program's 150th win faster than any FBS program in state of Florida history. USF has posted a pair of 10-plus win seasons in the last three years, including a program-record 11 wins (11-2) in 2016, and logged 15 winning seasons overall. Since first taking the field in 1997, the USF program has reached as high as No. 2 in the national rankings (2007), seen 30 players selected in the NFL Draft, 14 named All-American and 29 earn first-team all-conference selection.
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– #GoBulls –
