Ryan Miller (wide receiver) explained

Ryan Miller
Current Team:Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Number:81
Position:Wide receiver
Birth Date:20 February 2000
Birth Place:Jackson, Tennessee, U.S.
Height Ft:6
Height In:1
Weight Lb:209
High School:University School of Jackson
College:Furman (2018–2022)
Undraftedyear:2023
Pastteams:
Status:Active
Statseason:2023
Statlabel1:Games played
Statvalue1:1
Pfr:MillRy01

Ryan McKnight Miller (born February 20, 2000) is an American football wide receiver for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Furman Paladins and was signed by the Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent in .

Early life

Miller was born on February 20, 2000, in Jackson, Tennessee.[1] His father and grandfather each played college baseball, while his other grandfather was a college tennis player and his mother a cheerleader.[2] He attended the University School of Jackson where he played football and basketball and ran track; he was also a member of the school band.[3] In football, Miller saw time at wide receiver, tight end, middle linebacker, running back and defensive end.[3] A team captain, he was three times named all-district, twice was selected all-state and All-West Tennessee and totaled 69 receptions for 1,149 yards and eight touchdowns, along with 520 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns, as a senior, capping off a career in which he caught 82 passes for 1,529 yards and 18 touchdowns.[3] A two-star recruit, he committed to play college football for the Furman Paladins over four other offers.[4] [5]

College career

Miller appeared in nine games, one as a starter, as a true freshman at Furman in 2018, recording 10 receptions for 144 yards.[6] He then started 11 games in 2019 and made 11 receptions for 237 yards and three touchdowns.[3] He was named first-team All-American by Associated Press (AP) in the COVID-19-impacted 2020 season while having 15 catches for 254 yards and six touchdowns in seven games, also receiving first-team All-Southern Conference (SoCon) honors.[6] Miller repeated as an All-American selection and first-team All-SoCon choice in 2021, being a top FCS tight end with 43 receptions for 749 yards and seven scores, placing third in the conference in yards per catch, touchdown catches and receiving yards.[7] In his final year, 2022, Miller had a second-straight year as Furman's leading receiver with 72 catches for 762 yards and 12 touchdowns.[8] He earned another all-conference and All-American selection, setting the school record in single-season and career touchdown catches while being the first three-time All-American in Furman history.[9]

Professional career

Miller converted from tight end to wide receiver prior to the 2023 NFL draft.[10] After going unselected in the draft, he was signed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent.[11] He was released at the final roster cuts on August 29 and subsequently re-signed to the practice squad.[12] [13] He was elevated to the active roster for the team's Week 13 game against the Carolina Panthers and made his NFL debut in the 21–18 win.[14] [15] He signed a reserve/future contract on January 23, 2024.[16]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Ryan Miller Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College . 2024-06-30 . . en.
  2. News: Furman tight end Ryan Miller is just focused on catching passes, not recognition. The Greenville News. October 28, 2021. Keeler, Scott.
  3. Web site: Ryan Miller. Furman Paladins.
  4. News: USJ's Ryan Miller commits to Furman University. The Jackson Sun. Newspapers.com. October 19, 2017. B2. Torres, Luis.
  5. News: When Furman tight end Ryan Miller gets loose, big plays happen. The Greenville News. March 11, 2021. Keeler, Scott.
  6. Web site: 2022 FCS Jersey Countdown: 82 — The Best Player Who Wears No. 82 Is Furman’s Ryan Miller. HERO Sports. June 14, 2022. Herder, Sam.
  7. Web site: NFL Draft Profile: Ryan Miller, Tight End, Furman Paladins. Sports Illustrated. December 10, 2022.
  8. Web site: Ryan Miller: Heading to Tampa Bay. CBS Sports. RotoWire. April 30, 2023.
  9. Web site: Packers Hosted Three-Time All-American on Predraft Visit. Sports Illustrated. April 18, 2023. Huber, Bill.
  10. News: Packers host Furman WR Ryan Miller on official pre-draft visit. USA Today. Kruse, Zach. April 18, 2023.
  11. Web site: Furman's Miller Signs With Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Furman Paladins. Reid, Hunter. April 29, 2023.
  12. Web site: Bucs Cut Down to 53 for Regular Season, Place Ryan Jensen on IR . Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Smith, Scott. August 30, 2023.
  13. News: Tampa Bay Buccaneers full initial 16-man practice squad for 2023. USA Today. Wells, River. August 31, 2023.
  14. Web site: Short at Receiver, Bucs Elevate Ryan Miller and David Moore . Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Smith, Scott. December 2, 2023.
  15. Web site: Ryan Miller Career Game Log. Pro-Football-Reference.com.
  16. Web site: Bucs Retain 14 Practice Squad Players with Futures Contracts. Smith, Scott. Buccaneers.com. January 23, 2024.