101 Days of BC Football: Brian Miller, #80

It’s true that in recent years, a handful of Massachusetts recruits have spurned Boston College football and taken themselves to other schools, but not all. Brian Miller, a redshirt freshman tight end from Andover, is one of the legitimate recruiting successes for this staff.

Miller went to school in his hometown at Andover High School and excelled in playing the tight end and defensive end positions. According to MaxPreps, he was the 11th-most prolific receiver in Massachusetts high school football in his senior year and also averaged several tackles per game. Unfortunately for him, he was injured during his senior year, but that did not impact his status as a top recruit much.

Miller’s impressive tenure at Andover playing for the Golden Warriors earned him a number of accolades, including the team captaincy in 2010, a nomination for Old Spice’s Player of the Year award, honors as a top student athlete by the National Football Foundation, two appearances on the Boston Globe’s All-Star team, and a spot on the Super 26 All-State Team. He was also invited to play in the Under Armour All-America Game for rising high school football stars, which itself is a noteworthy achievement and a sign of his high stock.

Coming from high school, Scout and ESPN’s recruiting service gave him three stars, but Rivals and MaxPreps gave him four. Miller made Rivals’ Top 250 and was listed as the best recruit in the state for the 2011 incoming class. ESPN’s scouting report spoke highly of him as a receiver, and Scout agreed. They said in full:

"Miller needs to fill out his frame, he is a tremendous athlete and reminds us of former U.S. Army All-American Nate Byham. Miller is a solid inline blocker. He will spread out at receiver and provide a match-up issue against smaller defensive backs. he is tough to cover in the seam, due to his athleticism. Tremendous route runner with outstanding hands. Miller is one of the best in the nation. (c/o Bob Lichtenfels/Scout.com)"

His size was cited as the only strike against him, and upon his 2011 arrival, Miller was listed at 215 pounds, 40 pounds lighter than Chris Pantale and 25 lighter than Mike Naples, both of whom are currently beating him out on the two-deep at TE. He’s now up to 232, so that issue has apparently improved for the better.

One thing is certain: Brian Miller has the resume. Now Eagles fans need to find out over the next few years if he’s got the goods. We’ve had some four-star guys flame out on the Heights in recent seasons; if Miller is anywhere near as good in college as he was in high school, he can have a fine Boston College career.