Ventrell Miller drafted by Jacksonville Jaguars in fourth round

On3 imageby:Zach Abolverdi•04/29/23•

ZachAbolverdi

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Florida Gators linebacker Ventrell Miller was selected 121st overall by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the fourth round on Saturday. Miller is the fourth UF player selected in the 2023 NFL Draft.

Miller spent six seasons in Gainesville and was a four-year starter for the Gators, making 33 starts in 49 games played. He finished his UF career with 239 tackles, 7.5 sacks and 82-yard pick-six.

Miller was not only the heart and soul of Florida’s defense, but the emotional leader of the entire locker room. He was a team captain and voted by his coaches and teammates as the Gators’ defensive MVP.

“We say each and every day, it’s great to be a Florida Gator. Definitely coming here, they brought me from a boy to a man,” Ventrell Miller said. “There’s been a tremendous amount of resources to be able to help me to grow. I just had a great time at the University of Florida. I just want to say thank you to everybody who’s helped me out. “

Miller made a career-high 86 tackles in 2021 but played just two games the following year after suffering a torn biceps tendon in Week 2 against USF. He returned last fall and played through a foot fracture for most of the season, recording 75 tackles, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.

“Elite,” Florida inside linebacker Jay Bateman said of Miller. “He’s an alpha male. Everyone told me that when I got here. The first time I met him, I realized it. I love his energy. The level he plays at I think affects everybody else. … He’s a stud. Don’t get me wrong, you can be really smart but if you can’t play, you can’t play.

“I think he’s leaner. He weighs a little less than he did. He’s running better and I think he’s a really impressive kid. I think he’ll have a chance to make a lot of money playing football. He’s a kid who has a lot of ability and I think he’s a very calm, even-keeled guy. But I think when the games come, he’s a really good player.”

Miller is Florida’s fourth 2023 draftee, joining quarterback Anthony Richardson (first round, 4th overall, Indianapolis Colts), defensive tackle Gervon Dexter (second round, 53rd overall, Chicago Bears) and offensive guard O’Cyrus Torrence (second round, 59th overall, Buffalo Bills).

Other draft prospects for the Gators include receiver Justin Shorter, EDGE Brenton Cox Jr., safeties Trey Dean III and Rashad Torrence II, offensive lineman Richard Gouraige and linebacker Amari Burney.

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