2007 NFL Draft: Zach Miller Declares Early Eligibility

By Jeremy White, NFLHS.com

Zach Miller had several reasons to stay in college and finish out his career as the best tight end in Arizona State University history.

His brother, Brent, is the other starter in the program's two-tight-end system. He is two semesters short of receiving his marketing degree, which is he says is important to him. And ASU has a new coach, Dennis Erickson, coming in with NFL experience.

Then again, the 6-foot-4, 256-pound All-American had plenty of reasons to declare early for the NFL Draft, which he opted to do.

He's got no shortage of awards under his belt, and he watched one former teammate -- quarterback Andrew Walter -- forgo the draft only to separate his shoulder during his senior season in college.

Miller (#86) attempts a catch against the Arizona Wildcats on November 25, 2006 in Tucson.

When all was said and done, Miller decided he was ready to enter the NFL after taking the advice of draft experts. A look at his resume makes his decision tough to argue.

Miller is the all-time leader in receptions at the tight end position at ASU. Over his career, he hauled in 144 catches. Last season, he recorded a team-high 50 receptions for 484 yards (also a team high) and four touchdowns. He was a finalist for the Mackey Award, which goes to the top tight end in college football.

Despite all that, he knows he can get better. The willingness to recognize that and strive for continued growth is a lesson to which all high school football players should listen.

"I'm always trying to improve," Miller says. "I think my best attribute is my blocking. I think I'm a good pass catcher -- I can make a one-hand grab -- but I'm a better blocker."

In fact, a one-hand grab in a practice during his freshman year at ASU earned him his nickname: The Truth. He went on to be the Pac-10 Freshman of the Year in 2004 after grabbing 56 catches for 552 yards.

"I made that catch," explains Miller, "and one of my teammates said, 'Man, everything that's been written about you is the truth.'"

In high school, Miller's 4.7 speed was very good for a varsity tight end. He also played defensive end -- Notre Dame recruited him to play defense -- but says tight end is his natural position. It's a position that he sees changing, which is part of the allure for him.

"It definitely continues to evolve," he says. "More and more teams are expecting you to be a complete tight end and that isn't always easy to find. But the number of quality tight ends seems to be growing."

Miller says prep players looking to maximize their potential should "work on your three-counts and your routes. If the ball is going to come to you, you have to run good routes and get open whether a linebacker or a defensive back is on you. Of course, as a tight end, your main job is to block. You have to be physical, but you also have to be able to go up after the ball."

Story courtesy Red Line Editorial, Inc.