Miller Sees All, Tells All
October 18, 2005

Some students take introductory courses in Spanish or French. Unless that’s their major, they take no more than one or two semesters.

Ashland University linebacker Brady Miller (Cincinnati, OH/Elder) is a real bilingual student-athlete. He speaks fluent footballese, the kind that’s Greek to most fans and many players.

“He’s our communicator,” explained AU defensive coordinator Jim Meyer. “He gives the adjustments, identifies the strengths of an offense. He’s the communicator between myself, the other coaches and the players on the field. We rely on him to identify formations.”

“Essentially, he’s the quarterback of the defense,” added junior linebacker Allen Lattimore (Dayton, OH/Colonel White). “It’s a big responsibility. Ten other players are depending on him to get them where they’re supposed to be.”

There’s no doubt that this is where Miller is supposed to be. He called defensive signals as a linebacker at Cincinnati’s Elder High School and took over that role as a freshman at AU. He’s had that responsibility throughout his college career except for the year (2003) he missed with a broken leg.

The added responsibility hasn’t decreased Miller’s efficiency. He leads this year’s team in tackles (72/40 solo). Miller had a team-high 11 stops (10 solo) last week at Hillsdale and over the last three weeks, has 29 tackles. He was third on the team in stops in 2002 (66/44 solo) and fourth in tackles last season (69/32 solo).

Miller has no more than 25 seconds between plays to get the AU defense lined up correctly. The process begins with getting the call from the sideline and Meyer. He relays that message to his teammates on the field. If he sees something when the offense approaches the line of scrimmage, he can check out of the called defense to something else.

“I can override it,” said Miller. “That happens maybe three or four times a game. There’s some pressure, but because we do so much in practice a lot of it comes naturally. Coaches will get on you if you mess up a call and players get upset, too.”

Miller reports that most of the grief he takes comes from the players lined up in front of him.

“Mostly it’s the defensive line,” Miller said. “The secondary, Devin (Conwell) or someone makes a call and then I’ll repeat the call. Devin’s pretty smart out there. The defensive line is already up at the line, they’re lined up. They yell at me if I don’t speak clearly.”

Miller gets a clear picture of what offenses are doing by watching film for five to seven hours a week. After on-field practices on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays the Eagles meet with the coaches to watch film. Miller doesn’t miss a session.

“He studies more tape than anyone on the team,” said Meyer. “He’s a tremendous kid. When he comes off the field we ask him what he sees, what might work. He has a good feel for the game, what they’re trying to do.”

“It means a lot,” said Miller of Meyer’s confidence. “He does a lot with Devin and me, he trusts us a lot. I’m pretty comfortable with him. He’s easy to talk to and he always asks what I feel. He’ll call something and I’ll call something on the field and say, ‘It’s working.”

It speaks volumes about Miller’s understanding of the game that the coaching staff is willing to consult with him. That trust has been gained by watching him over the last two seasons.

“You have to be disciplined,” Meyer pointed out. “All offenses are designed to make linebackers work against themselves. Offenses are designed to misdirect, they’re designed to abuse the guys in the middle. You just can’t bite up on fakes or run wild out there. He identifies. Very rarely does something catch him by surprise. That’s a tribute to his film study.”

It’s also a tribute to Miller that he plays such a large role on one of the best defenses in not just the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, but the region as well. AU brings a 6-2 record (5-2 GLIAC) into this week’s game. The defense has played well every week. Even in the two defeats – to nationally-ranked Grand Valley State and Michigan Tech – the AU defense gave a good account of itself. In Miller’s opinion, Grand Valley presented the ultimate challenge.

“They could run and pass,” reminded Miller. “Their routes, they did so many things.”

But as the numbers show, this defense has done a lot of things. AU is allowing 10.9 ppg., 105.0 rushing yards per game and 272.0 yards per game in total offense. The Eagles lead the GLIAC in Red Zone defense and are second in scoring defense and sacks. AU is third in rush defense, pass efficiency defense and total defense.

“I think as a whole, our defense takes a lot of pride,” said Miller. “We hang our hats on stopping the run first. Having Devin back there (secondary), he doesn’t have the stats he had last year, but most teams won’t throw to his side. Having him there has stopped the big play. When our defense is out there, if someone scores, we’re upset. Even in practice, with the scout team.”

What’s also distinguished this defense is how it’s worked together. AU has had strong defenses in the recent past, but this one’s cohesiveness has placed it a cut above those units.

“I think it really starts with Devin,” Miller said. “He has the most riding on this season and he hasn’t complained. We’re not selfish and that helps us. If you just do what you’re supposed to do, it works.”

Works in any language, any place, at any time.