September 8 has been circled on linebacker Ventrell Miller’s calendar for some time. A fourth-round NFL draft selection by Jacksonville over a year ago, Miller has long eyed his regular season debut in black and teal.
He was about two weeks from it last August when he suffered an Achilles injury in the Jaguars’ final preseason game before the 2023 campaign. It ended his rookie season before it officially began.
“Man, it was definitely tough,” Miller described his hurt to Jaguars Wire. “But I done been through it before.”
Indeed, Miller entered the pros with an injury to the same foot, a Jones fracture, which he played through during his final season at Florida and addressed via surgery during his draft process.
Miller was determined to miss as little playing time as possible in his final campaign with the Gators, as a bicep tear limited him to two appearances the year before. He started all but one regular season game and produced 74 tackles with 8.5 for loss in 2022, before entering the draft.
“It definitely was a grind. But I’m passionate about the game,” Miller said. “I wanted to go out my last season playing, that was my goal.”
Now fully healthy, Miller is motivated to remind people of the kind of player he was in orange and blue; to prove his impact on a defense can translate to the NFL, beginning in Jacksonville’s Week 1 matchup at Miami.
“I’m so excited for this,” Miller expressed.
“The work I’ve put in this whole offseason, it’s just flowing in. I came back bigger, faster, stronger, excited for the year, ready to make a play. It’s been a year since I played football, so I’m itching to make a play.”
He came back to a new scheme, too.
The Jaguars replaced Miller’s first NFL defensive coordinator, Mike Caldwell, with Ryan Nielsen earlier this offseason, while the linebacker continued his recovery process. Without ever logging a regular season snap in his first pro scheme, Miller is already onto another.
Coaching transitions aren’t a new concept for Miller, though. He was led by three different head coaches at UF — Jim McElwain, Dan Mullen and Billy Napier — and including interims, he was overseen by five defensive coordinators.
“I’ve had my share of coaching changes,” said Miller.
Miller believes this one will benefit him.
He continues to learn the specific terminology of Nielsen’s defensive scheme, but given his experience with coaching turnover, he has quickly adapted to its general philosophies and is convinced they will highlight his strengths as a linebacker.
“I’d just say getting into the football, blitzing and stuff like that. I feel like I’m just [able to play] sideline to sideline,” Miller stated. “So really, [I can play] wherever they need me. Special teams, as you know. But wherever they need me to fill in at.”
Although Miller’s practice reps over the past year have been limited, Foyesade Oluokun and Devin Lloyd’s guiding presence in Jacksonville’s linebacker room have helped him keep up through his injury and the Jaguars’ coordinator change.
The veterans, who combined for 300 total tackles last season, have set a strong example for Miller to follow and have been there to answer any questions that come to his mind.
“They’re pros, I know what they expect. I always observe those guys throughout practices and stuff like that, just being vocal with them and asking questions,” Miller shared. “Them guys are always open to answer any questions. Definitely been a good group of guys to have in the room to learn from.”
They’re keeping Miller inspired while he prepares for his pro premiere, as well.
“Foye spoke to me, like, ‘Just go hard,’ ” Miller recalled. “The guys see what I can do. So, [I have] got to keep the same mentality every rep.”
