WATCH: Jack Miller III on his return from injury, first start and the QB battle
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Following Florida’s practice Saturday, Gators redshirt sophomore quarterback Jack Miller III met with the media for the second time since transferring from Ohio State.
His first interview was last year after the Orange & Blue Game. He threw for 121 yards on 13 of 23 passing, but Anthony Richardson secured the starting job coming out of the spring.
Miller suffered a thumb injury in fall training camp and missed the regular season. He made his UF debut and first career start in the bowl game, throwing for 180 yards on 13 of 22 passing.
In the video below, Miller discusses his thumb injury last year and recovery process, his performance in the Las Vegas Bowl loss to Oregon State and competing with Graham Mertz this spring.
Jack Miller III quotes
On being injured for last season:
“I mean, it definitely wasn’t what I wanted or what I envisioned happening, but you live and you learn. I learned a lot during that time about myself and my work ethic, so it was definitely good for me. … Just (learning) how much you want to be out there, and how much you shouldn’t take it for granted honestly.”
On his health for the Las Vegas Bowl:
Miller: “I would say I was pretty healthy, but not taking reps all season and then kind of tossed into the fire. It was definitely good for me to got my first start under my belt. It was just a good experience for me, I think.”
On what he took out of his first start:
Miller: “Just a lot. I finally got to play in a game and see what it’s really like to start a game, prepare for a game. Yeah, I just took a lot. It kind of fueled my offseason. I figured out where I needed to work on all offseason really, and where I need to get better at.
On what areas he needs to improve on:
Miller: “Just preparing mentally for the defense, defensive recognition, the speed of my footwork. Game speed is so much different than practice speed, so just really getting used to all that stuff.”
On the competition with Mertz this spring:
Miller: “It’s been a really good competition. We both embrace it, and Max [Brown] as well. We all love to compete, so it’s been a really fun spring so far.”
On receivers who have impressed in camp:
“There’s so many. Obviously Ricky [Pearsall], Kahleil Jackson has been balling this spring too. Andy Jean, the freshman just came in, he’s the real deal. He’s a really, really hard worker. If you come in here at 6 o’clock at night after practice, he’s still here catching balls, he’s still working out. And he gets open is the best way I can describe it.”
