Miller Headed To The NFL

Miami Hurricanes running back Lamar Miller is turning pro, which really shouldn’t come as a surprise. If there was any current Cane seemingly ready to make the leap, it was the junior-to-be Miller.

At one point, Miller stated that he’d only head to the NFL early if he were all but guaranteed to be a first round pick. He changed that stance after Miami’s loss to Boston College, the final game in a 6-6 season, stating that he’d need to discuss with his family.

With wide receiver Tommy Streeter and defensive tackle Marcus Forston having already declared, Miller’s pending departure was merely a formality. This one comes as no surprise. Especially considering the short shelf life NFL running backs have.

Plus, look no further than knee injuries to former Cane backs Willis McGahee and Frank Gore, costing both some money on Draft day, McGahee a late first rounder and Gore, falling all the way to the third.

The 5-foot-11, 212-pound Miller was a first-year starter in 2011, with his true breakout game coming week two against Ohio State. Miller carried 26 times for 184 yards against the Buckeyes, including a 54-yard run to open the nationally televised ESPN contest.

Miller tallied five straight 100-plus yard games to start the season, before getting stonewalled at North Carolina (16 carries for 29 yards) and back-to-back, under 100-yard efforts against Georgia Tech and Virginia.

Miller rebounded with 147 yards and two touchdowns against Duke, 92 at Florida State and 50 against South Florida before a 114-yard outing in a loss to Boston College, highlighted by a 79-yard touchdown run — Miami’s longest in a decade.

Could Miller benefit from another year in the system? Sure. Does he dance a little too much at the line instead of committing and hitting the hole? Yes. Will Miami miss him? Absolutely.

That said, he’s arguably the second-best running back in the Draft (behind Alabama’s Trent Richardson) and is a late first round / early second round pick. Based on that alone, there is no other option but to literally take the money and run.

Miami returns Mike James and Eduardo Clements at running back, who truly came on late. Especially in third-and-short situations, where coaches depended in Clement to get the tough yards. Darion Hall also returns as a yet-to-be used back up.

Where things turn exciting for Miami is in regards to “next man in”, barring the 2012 recruiting class shapes up as expected.

Norland High product Duke Johnson is expected to come in and have an immediate impact. The Herald’s Manny Navarro wrote a detailed piece on the four-star Johnson over the weekend and with the departure of Miller, the addition of Johnson becomes that much more important.

Miami also looks to add three-star running back Danny Dillard of Venice and welcomed Pennsylvania four-star prospect Greg Garmon to campus days back for an official visit. With just under two month remaining until Signing Day, the Canes can now aggressively go after another back, with playing time a serious option.

Miller leaving absolutely hurts regarding production, but in the same breath should be taken with a grain of salt as he was a one-year starter. This time last season, the focus was on the loss of impact guys like Graig Cooper and Damien Berry, but Miami’s ground game lived to see another day.

One last note, as if this program needs another reason to work towards relevancy, it’s these early departures. Streeter, Forston and Miller might’ve gone pro early regardless, but it’s easier to sell a kid on returning when your team is in the hunt, as opposed to merely building on 6-6.

Honestly, you think Ed Reed and Bryant McKinnie would’ve come back for the 2001 season if Miami was coming off a six-loss campaign was was nowhere near playing for a ring?

Best of luck to Miller as another Miami running back joins NFL U and will look to make his mark on the next level and for the 2012 Hurricanes – there’s a new opening. Who’s ready to step up and make a name for themselves?

IN OTHER NEWS : With this revolving door regarding more Canes leaving early, hopefully this serves as a lesson in patience for those not wanting to wait their turn.

Last May it was back-up running back Storm Johnson who fled from competition, choosing to take his talents to Orlando where he was a scout team running back for Central Florida this fall. Next year, he’ll work to earn the starting gig.

Maybe it works out, maybe it doesn’t, but Johnson could’ve easily spent the 2011 season in the mix for the Canes, instead of being forced to sit out with the Knights. Back ups James and Clements  combined for 357 yards and eight touchdowns in 2011 and are now the front runners for the starting job come spring.

There are some rumors that Johnson was pushed towards a transfer. Maybe. Maybe not. Regardless, there’d have been playing time this past season and with the departure of Miller, some wide open competition for the starting gig in 2012.

For kids quick to run away from competition, hopefully they learn that patience can pay off. The 2011 season breezed by and Miller’s time at starter, the blink of an eye. What seems like a lifetime of waiting, it’s a mental battle one must overcome. Focus on the long term and trust the process. – C.B.

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