Ventrell Miller's impact is immeasurable: ‘He's a stud’

There’s no mistaking the kind of impact Ventrell Miller brings to the Florida Gators.

That became quite clear when Miller tore his biceps tendon last season and the defense was forced to play without its leader.

Miller had eight tackles in the first two games but was unable to play in a 31-29 loss to Alabama in the SEC opener.

“It’s always tough when you’re injured. It was just a learning experience, getting my rehab in,” Miller said this spring.

How much did Miller mean to his team? When the Gators went on their first road game after his injury, they brought him. He couldn’t help UF against Kentucky with his play, but the coaching staff wanted Miller there for his leadership.

Miller did what he could to help Mohamoud Diabate, Amari Burney and Derek Wingo, but the Gators continued to struggle in 2021. As he watched from the sideline, the team continued losing.

His head coach was fired, and a new staff was hired. Miller would have exhausted all of his college eligibility if not for the free season everyone got for 2020. The decision was quick and easy.

“I feel like I had the opportunity (to go to the NFL),” he said. “I didn’t feel right leaving them boys without finishing or I ain’t feel right just leaving without having a good year to finish out.”

Miller made his decision to come back before the Gators had even hired an inside linebackers coach. It didn’t matter. The sixth-year senior from Lakeland wanted to run back out on the field with his brothers regardless of who was on the staff.

Miller missing some spring practice

After missing most of the 2021 season, Miller was ready to get back on the field as soon as possible. Except, once again, something out of his control kept him from practicing.

This time it wasn’t an injury, but his degree. Miller is on track to graduate before the 2022 season. He’ll be a college graduate and get to wear that patch on his jersey.

Miller has a class this spring on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the same time as practice. He’ll sit in on meetings and watch film afterward, but he’s not usually able to join the team on the field until Saturday.

“I’m a competitor, so I was a little bummed, but I’m trying to get my degree,” he said. “So, it was the best of both worlds, and I was coming back from injury. I’ve made the most out of the reps that I could get.”

Jay Bateman thrilled to have Miller in his room

UF inside linebackers coach Jay Bateman has seen a lot of football. He’s been around some exceptional young men while at Army and North Carolina. Miller quickly stuck out to the veteran coach and the situation reminded him of another former player.

“When I got to North Carolina and I coached the secondary, I had a kid named Myles Dorn who plays for the Vikings and they’re very different personality-wise but they’re the same player. They both are kids that probably could have gone out a year before and had an injury and decided to come back,” Bateman said.

“They were both just veterans and smart leaders. The best thing that ever happened to me was him getting hurt. I came here and here’s this ready-made guy who’s an unbelievable kid, who has an unbelievable personality, who has unbelievable leadership. I get to go into the meeting room and coach him every day. How fortunate am I?” 

Miller is the old statesman in the room. He’s an alpha male who enjoys giving his new coach a hard time.

“He’s going to be mad at me, he’s not the best-looking guy,” Miller said jokingly. “He knows what he’s talking about, though. He’s definitely brought a lot of swagger to the room. Definitely love joking with him. Just what he knows, he’s done a great job.”

The two are already getting along well. Bateman knows that Miller is going to make the defense and his linebacker room better. It didn’t take long for Bateman to realize what he had in his starting linebacker.

“He’s a stud. He’s a really good player,” Bateman said of Miller. “Elite. 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 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 plays pretty good. When I got here, I watched him and I said, ‘This kid’s pretty good.’ I’ve been really impressed with him.”