Jackson State football Pro Day gives Aubrey Miller Jr. a path to continue his HBCU mission
Aubrey Miller Jr. has learned, grown and matured during his college career. After spending three years at Missouri, Miller found his game and calling at Jackson State a Historically Black Colleges and University.
This week, that growth led the Tigers linebacker to Jackson State's Pro Day with a mission.
“We are just changing the narrative,” Miller said. “You have a lot of guys that come out of Power Five schools, and some guys that come out of the HBCUs. It is very small for the guys that come out of HBCUs. I think we are trying to change the dynamics of things and how people are viewed coming out of HBCUs, and it is part of my mission to be one of those guys.”
Miller said his Pro Day workout in front of 27 NFL scouts Monday went well. It is a learning experience to calm down and do things the comfortable way and try not to want it so bad, and try not to do too much.
Miller’s goal is to keep it going and take what he has learned to the next level. He played in the Reese's Senior Bowl, game and one of his takeaways was the week of practice, when he was coached by an NFL coaching staff.
“Football is football,” Miller said. “It is about what you put on tape. I also learned from a lot of guys, not only from the Jackson State coaching staff but a lot of great coaches in the NFL.”
In leading JSU to an undefeated regular season and a second consecutive Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) championship in 2022, Miller had 112 tackles with two sacks, five forced fumbles, and one touchdown. As a result, the Tigers' defense allowed only 13.5 points per game.
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Miller was named to the Athlon Sports All-America first team and received a second-team nod to the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) FCS All-America team.
The SWAC Defensive Player of the Year was also a BOXTOROW HBCU All-American and National Defensive Player of the Year, Associated Press FCS All-America and Stats Perform FCS All-America.
“I am ready to play football,” Miller said. “I like the run defense, the run pursuit. I like to hit people and attack people. I am a dog, and being a dog that’s kind of my comfort zone, I am ready to be let off the leash.”
The NFL Draft will be held April 27-29 in Kansas City, Missouri.
This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Jackson State football: Aubrey Miller Jr. on HBCU mission at Pro Day
