Zach Miller, Nebraska-Omaha, NFL Draft - CBSSports.com

Zach Miller

Height: 6-4 | Weight: 233 | Position:TE | College: Nebraska-Omaha

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Nebraska-Omaha

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04/28/2009 - There were chuckles in the Jaguars media room when it was learned that the team's sixth-round draft pick, Zach Miller, was a quarterback in college but would be converted to a tight end in the NFL. The story had an eerie resemblance to the failed experiment that the team tried with Matt Jones for the past four years. Jones was strictly a quarterback at Arkansas when the Jaguars made him their No. 1 pick in the 2005 draft. For three seasons Jones did little with the Jaguars, catching 36, 41 and 24 passes his first three seasons. Last summer Jones was arrested for possession of cocaine which the league responded by suspending him for four games. But Jones appealed the ruling and played in the Jaguars' first 13 games, catching 65 passes for a career-high 761 yards before the league upheld the suspension and ruled Jones out of the last three games. Jones was then released by the Jaguars in March. One of the questions to Miller in his post-draft teleconference call with the media was if he had heard of Matt Jones. "Yes I have," Miller said. When asked if he would try to emulate Jones at all, Miller responded, "I'll take the football part of Matt Jones. He is a very gifted man."

04/28/2009 - A closer look at the Jaguars' picks: 6/180, Zach Miller, TE, 6-4, 240, Nebraska-Omaha...The Jaguars failed on the Matt Jones conversion of going from college quarterback to NFL receiver, now they'll try it with Miller. He was a quarterback in college but will be used strictly as a tight end with the Jaguars. His only experience at that position came in the Cactus Bowl (Division II All-Star game) at the end of the 2008 season, where he caught five passes for 116 yards and a touchdown. Miller says he's ready for the challenge to learn the new position and win a roster spot with the Jaguars.

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Player Ratings
Position	Overall	Pos. Rank	Proj. Round
TE	280	14	7-FA
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Overview

Miller was originally recruited to Nebraska as an option quarterback, he transferred to UNO after the Cornhuskers fired coach Frank Solich after the 2004 season and brought in Bill Callahan to run a pro-style offense. At UNO, Miller went on to start for three seasons.

He rushed for more than 1,000 yards in his first season as the starter in 2006, and threw for more than 1,000 yards in each of the past two seasons. He capped his career by scoring 18 total touchdowns as a senior. By the time his career was over, he had set program records with 50 touchdowns and 306 points.

Scouts asked him to play tight end at the Cactus Bowl all-star game. He really impressed as a receiver in that contest (five catches for 116 yards, one touchdown), then put on a very good show of athleticism at his pro day (4.53 seconds in the 40-yard dash, 37.5-inch vertical, 4.22 short shuttle, 7.06 three cone drill).

Already a very good athlete, he has potential as a receiving H-back prospect. Gil Brandt, a draft expert who works for the NFL, said Miller reminds him of former Cowboys tight end Jay Novacek.

Analysis

Positives: Tall with great athleticism. Former quarterback has a good sense of how to run routes despite his inexperience. Runs like a large receiver, looking smooth heading downfield. Looks the ball into his hands, fights for it in traffic. Physical enough to run though arm tackles, push the pile when the extra yard is needed and contribute on special teams. Gives effort as a blocker.

Negatives: Must add some weight and be coached up on technique to be an effective blocker against NFL defenders. Raw as a receiver, as well, having never lining up there in college. Must learn how to be crisp in his routes, use his body to shield linebackers from the ball and consistently catch throws with NFL velocity away from his body. Played against a lower level of competition.

Career Notes

Three-time first-team All-North Central selection.

2007 Season

First-team All-North Central, MVB.

2006 Season

First-team All-North Central.

2005 Season

Completed 60 percent of his passes as a backup quarterback for 322 yards … Alternated regularly at quarterback from mid-season on … Passed for one score vs. Oklahoma Panhandle and scored three times on rushing attempts … Gained 141 yards on 29 carries … Caught a one-yard TD pass vs. Nebraska-Kearney in season-opening win as a wide receiver.

2004 Season

He transferred to UNO in 2004 and participated in spring football in 2005.

Injury Report

2009: Unable to lift the 225-pound bench press at his pro day due to a torn tendon in his hand.

Agility Tests

Combine: Did not receive an invitation.

Pro day (from NFL.com): 4.53 seconds in the 40-yard dash. … 37.5-inch vertical. … 4.22 short shuttle. … 7.06 three cone drill.

High School
A three-sport standout at Bishop Neumann High School in Wahoo, he was Class C-1 all-state honorary captain as a senior and also earned honorable mention all-state honors in basketball … Set school records as a senior with 1,200 passing yards and 980 rushing yards under Coach Tim Turman.

Personal
Son of Buzz and Ramona Miller … Has two sisters, Ashley and Cassie.