Josh Miller
Cornerback
Ball State
Alex Khvatov: What are your measurements (height, weight and forty time)?
Josh Miller: Measured in at 5’10 ¾ and 186. We did a mock draft pro day two weeks ago and I ran a 4.40.
Alex Khvatov: Where are you currently training for the NFL Draft?
Josh Miller: At Landow Performance in Colorado. Lots of guys are here. We have about 30 players.
Alex Khvatov: Describe your overall experience at the College Gridiron Showcase.
Josh Miller: It was pretty cool. I spoke to a lot of teams face to face. I rarely had the time to sit down with them during the season when they came to the campus. I got the picture about this whole process. I played well in practices and during the game. Scouts gave me feedback.
Alex Khvatov: What is the biggest thing that you took away from the all-star game?
Josh Miller: After my first practice, a couple of teams called me in for a second and first interviews. I did the interview with the Tampa Bay scout. He told me that he liked the way I play. But he gave me advice. You should spend more time with your teammates after making a play instead of trash talking to opponents. A lot of guys on the team might like that. I came up with an INT the next day and celebrated with my teammates. I didn’t trash talk the rest of the way.
Alex Khvatov: What are your overall expectations about the Pro Day?
Josh Miller: My pro day is on April 3rd. I plan on showing how fast I really am. Scouts can’t tell that from film. I am very fast. I plan to run a sub 4.4. I want to show my elite speed. I can jump and show how strong I am. I plan to do well in the bench and the drills.
Alex Khvatov: Coming out of high school, what programs showed interest in you?
Josh Miller: After my junior year, I got many calls from schools. Ball State was one of them. I didn’t commit going into my senior year. I was waiting on the bigger schools. I was playing well my senior year. I ended up earning all-state. I got hurt sixth game of the season. I hurt my ankle really bad. I broke it in four places and tore my ligament. A lot of the teams stopped calling me. By the end of the day, two schools offered me. Marian and St. Francis.
Alex Khvatov: Why did you choose Marian?
Josh Miller: Coach at Marian played at my high school. I picked them. I played my freshman year. I went to the national championship. It was not my level of competition. I wanted to be challenged. I explained to my coach at Marian and transferred. I sent the film to Ball State. I came for a visit and next I was in training camp.
Alex Khvatov: Why did you decide to transfer to Ball State?
Josh Miller: I went there because of my mom. She developed breast cancer. I wanted to stay closer to her and home. She wanted me to go there. I redshirted my first year. The next season, she passed away. She never saw me play.
Alex Khvatov: What are your strengths?
Josh Miller: I am a technician. I have great technique and I have put a lot of time into it. I am very intelligent. My overall IQ. My coach taught me how to watch film. I never panic. I am able to slow the game down mentally because I know what’s coming. I have natural instincts and I make plays.
Alex Khvatov: What areas of your game are you trying to improve upon?
Josh Miller: Footwork in terms of off coverage. I played more press during my time at Ball State.
Alex Khvatov: Describe your overall career.
Josh Miller: When I first got there, I was technically a redshirt freshman. They had senior and juniors ahead of me. The next year, I became a starter. It was big for me. I beat out those more experienced guys. We never went to a bowl game. But we got better as a secondary every year. The team looked to me as a captain. I was a captain my junior and senior year. I got hurt my senior year. I broke my hand, but I played through it the last two games.
Alex Khvatov: What is the highlight of your career up to this point?
Josh Miller: During my senior year, I broke my hand against Western Michigan. Game. We went into OT. We stopped them on 4th & 1 play to win the game. We played our hearts out. It meant something. I broke my hand in the third quarter. I didn’t know it was broken. They put some tape underneath my gloves and played through it.
Alex Khvatov: What is your biggest accomplishment in college that you are most proud of?
Josh Miller: We gave up only four passing TD’s as a secondary during my senior year. This was a big accomplishment for me, the secondary and the defense as a whole.
Alex Khvatov: What have you learned the most from your coaching staff?
Josh Miller: I spent a lot of time with the DB coach. He took the job at Kansas with Les Miles. He taught me how to watch film and have good technique. I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for him. His name is Chevis Jackson and he played at LSU. He won two national championships. He was drafted by the Falcons. He is smart. He knows what he is talking about.
Alex Khvatov: What is your favorite NFL team?
Josh Miller: I was born in Chicago. I am a Bears fan.
Alex Khvatov: Who is your favorite NFL player?
Josh Miller: I love watching Patrick Peterson and Kyle Fuller. I study them all the time.
Alex Khvatov: What is the most important trait for a CB?
Josh Miller: Short memory. I can get beat on the first play, but I have to forget about it and continue to play at a high level.
Alex Khvatov: Before the ball is snapped, what are the tendencies that you are looking for from the offense?
Josh Miller: When I lineup, I look at the down and distance. I check the personnel card. I look at where it is a pass or run formation. I look at the splits and what routes I might get. I get ready before the snap. I am talking to my safeties and backers.
Alex Khvatov: What players on your team should we keep an eye on for next season?
Josh Miller: OLB Ray Wilborn transferred from Gardner-City. He graded higher than me on Pro Football Focus. He has long arms and he can run all day. He is a baller. #6 ILB Jaylin Thomas can ball. WR Justin Hall ball State is an athletic player. Antonio Phillips lined up opposite of me at corner and #4 RB Malik Dunner.
Alex Khvatov: Who is the best player that you have faced on an opposing team?
Josh Miller: Kenny Golladay. He plays for the Lions now. I was a young buck, and he was a senior.
Alex Khvatov: What do you enjoy most about football?
Josh Miller: I like a challenge. Every week when I would line up, I played to my fullest. I play the game hard and always give it my best effort.
Alex Khvatov: What is your definition of a leader?
Josh Miller: I just wanted to do my job. I played well and took on that role of a leader. I know how to talk to my teammates and relate to them. I lead by example. I am a big brother. I am not a coach or a father to my teammates. I talk to you like we are in the same shoes. I go to school. I come to practice on time. I play hard and practice hard. I never back down from a challenge. Before I became a captain, we were never watching film on our off day. When I became the captain, I was watching it and my teammates were always watching film even on our off days.
Alex Khvatov: What are your hobbies?
Josh Miller: Movies are my escape.
Alex Khvatov: What do you want to do with your life after your football career is over?
Josh Miller: It is all about football right now. I want to get drafted and get on the team. I want to make the 53-man roster. After football, I want to do something with my major and get into broadcasting.
Alex Khvatov: What five words best describe you?
Josh Miller: Ambitious, passionate, hate to lose, consistent and family-oriented.
