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GPA Miller's only limitation

By DAWN REISS
Published June 16, 2006

INVERNESS - A year out of Citrus High, Willie Miller has made a name for himself as the "pit bull" on Anderson University's football team.

"It's because the bigger guys try to fight me and like to pick on freshmen," Miller said. "I fight back and freshmen don't usually do that, they just take."

Anderson coach Jeff Judge said he likes Miller's work ethic, and just laughed when Miller's nickname was mentioned.

"He's pretty tenacious," said Judge, whose Division III team went 5-5 this season, 17-13 in the past three years. "He doesn't mind dropping down and fighting in the middle of practice. He doesn't mind the physical contact during the play and after."

Miller barely saw playing time this past year as a third-string slot back on the varsity, but catapulted from fifth on the depth chart to "the No. 1 guy" during spring after the graduation of starters Clifton Jones and Klint Rupley, Judge said.

The biggest concern for Miller is improving his grades.

"He's working at getting eligible," Judge said. "He's got good potential to play for us if he will come back in shape, but he's got to get his grades in order."

Miller spent most of the season on the practice squad, playing in two games, where he had one carry for 3 yards. He doesn't remember what game his lone attempt came in. He just remembers Judge looking down the line, then calling him over.

"I got the ball in a counter," said Miller, who is 5 feet 7, 195 pounds. "I brought it wide behind one of my big linemen. One minute I was running and the next thing I know I was getting tackled."

Despite playing limitedly, Miller's glad he went to Indiana and likes the colder weather. So much that Miller helped convince several former teammates to give the Ravens a try. Citrus 2006 graduate Dane Moore orally committed and possibly will be joined by former Hurricanes linemen Bob Severin and Chadd Malone.

Judge said he hopes to see Miller back on the field.

"He's obviously played football at a high level in high school," Judge said. "Florida kids have played a lot of football, with spring ball and everything, so he was pretty well developed when he got here. There's a water bug in him. He's can stop and start and fast."

Miller said he plans to spend the summer working out, helping his grandfather, Ed Ralston, build houses and going four-wheeling.

But his biggest and most immediate concern is improving his slumping grades so he can have a chance on the football field this fall.

[Last modified June 16, 2006, 06:44:11]