Miller takes last schollie, runs with it

[caption id="attachment_307207" align="aligncenter" width="513" caption="Iowa's Tanner Miller (5) intercepts a pass on the 2-yard-line during the first half of their game against Northwestern Saturday, Oct. 15, 2011 at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City. Miller retuned the ball 98 yards for a touchdown. (Brian Ray/ SourceMedia Group News)"]

IOWA CITY -- So far, Tanner Miller has kept his end of the deal when it comes to Iowa scoring on the last scholarship it offers.Since earning the starting free safety job in week 3, Miller has climbed the tackle charts, sitting sixth on the team with 32. Of course, his short career crescendoed with a 98-yard interception return for a touchdown last Saturday night against Northwestern. Miller tied Adam Shada's record for interception return, set against Purdue in '06.There is something to Iowa's final recruit. Iowa coaches didn't offer Miller, a former Mid-Prairie prep from Kalona, until just a few days before signing day in 2010.Three final offers (tight ends Brandon Myers and Allen Reisner and center Mike Elgin) have spent time in the NFL. Sophomore Dominic Alvis is starting to contribute as a defensive end. Connecticut D-lineman Dean Tsopanides is the final recruit for 2011, committing to Iowa last summer weeks before summer camp.Here's why this often works:"It was something that I had to prove to everyone," said Miller, who committed to an 80-percent scholarship at Northern Iowa and considered walking on at Nebraska and Missouri. "I came in with a chip on my shoulder being the last guy to get offered. It was just a fun process and I'm glad I got the opportunity."The "fun" part comes with the story of when Miller, who played as a true freshman last season, officially accepted the offer from Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz.Miller and his Mid-Prairie basketball teammates were on a bus on their way back to Wellman after a game in Fairfield.Miller was tipped off by his dad, Brian, that he might be getting a phone call from someone high up the chain of command at Iowa.Ferentz called Miller's cell and offered the scholarship."Coach called me and I had all my teammates up in my ear, trying to listen in," said Miller, who missed four to five months of offseason workouts following shoulder surgery. "They didn't believe me at first, that it was him. Then, I got off the phone and told them what happened. The bus just went crazy. It's a great memory, great experience."And, so far, it seems to be working out well for the Hawkeyes."I think with what we saw last fall, we thought he had a chance to be a good football player," Ferentz said. "He has requisite ability and a good head on his shoulders. Now, what is he going to do with it? He's working hard to make it work well for him."The walk-on option at Nebraska was very much in play for Miller, a 6-foot-2, 205-pounder. His family moved to Wellman from Nebraska when he was in eighth grade. Also, his dad and uncle played football at Nebraska.And no, he didn't look at himself in the giant Kinnick Stadium video board even though he was headed toward it during his 98-yarder last week."No, I was just focused on the end zone and tried to get there as fast as I could," he said. "After that, I took it all in. It was a great experience."It all happened so fast. I had to go right back out there after that. Coach was yelling at me to get over there. We had to go right back out."

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IOWA CITY -- So far, Tanner Miller has kept his end of the deal when it comes to Iowa scoring on the last scholarship it offers.

Since earning the starting free safety job in week 3, Miller has climbed the tackle charts, sitting sixth on the team with 32. Of course, his short career crescendoed with a 98-yard interception return for a touchdown last Saturday night against Northwestern. Miller tied Adam Shada's record for interception return, set against Purdue in '06.

There is something to Iowa's final recruit. Iowa coaches didn't offer Miller, a former Mid-Prairie prep from Kalona, until just a few days before signing day in 2010.

Three final offers (tight ends Brandon Myers and Allen Reisner and center Mike Elgin) have spent time in the NFL. Sophomore Dominic Alvis is starting to contribute as a defensive end. Connecticut D-lineman Dean Tsopanides is the final recruit for 2011, committing to Iowa last summer weeks before summer camp.

Here's why this often works:

"It was something that I had to prove to everyone," said Miller, who committed to an 80-percent scholarship at Northern Iowa and considered walking on at Nebraska and Missouri. "I came in with a chip on my shoulder being the last guy to get offered. It was just a fun process and I'm glad I got the opportunity."

The "fun" part comes with the story of when Miller, who played as a true freshman last season, officially accepted the offer from Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz.

Miller and his Mid-Prairie basketball teammates were on a bus on their way back to Wellman after a game in Fairfield.

Miller was tipped off by his dad, Brian, that he might be getting a phone call from someone high up the chain of command at Iowa.

Ferentz called Miller's cell and offered the scholarship.

"Coach called me and I had all my teammates up in my ear, trying to listen in," said Miller, who missed four to five months of offseason workouts following shoulder surgery. "They didn't believe me at first, that it was him. Then, I got off the phone and told them what happened. The bus just went crazy. It's a great memory, great experience."

And, so far, it seems to be working out well for the Hawkeyes.

"I think with what we saw last fall, we thought he had a chance to be a good football player," Ferentz said. "He has requisite ability and a good head on his shoulders. Now, what is he going to do with it? He's working hard to make it work well for him."

The walk-on option at Nebraska was very much in play for Miller, a 6-foot-2, 205-pounder. His family moved to Wellman from Nebraska when he was in eighth grade. Also, his dad and uncle played football at Nebraska.

And no, he didn't look at himself in the giant Kinnick Stadium video board even though he was headed toward it during his 98-yarder last week.

"No, I was just focused on the end zone and tried to get there as fast as I could," he said. "After that, I took it all in. It was a great experience.

"It all happened so fast. I had to go right back out there after that. Coach was yelling at me to get over there. We had to go right back out."

Doesn't sound as though the final recruit ever loses that chip on the shoulder.