During the last two weeks, third-year quarterback Jack Miller has been preparing to make his first collegiate start in the Las Vegas Bowl game on December 17th.
The Oregon State Beavers present a challenging defense for Miller, which ranks 32nd nationally. However, after speaking with numerous players on the Florida Gators, it’s clear that the team trusts in Miller’s ability to command the offense and escape Vegas with a victory.
“Jack has been the same throughout this whole time, ” edge rusher Antwuan Powell-Ryland told the media. “He understands what’s going on, what he got to do, so I feel confident, real confident in Jack. I’m pretty sure everybody does. He’s been practicing with us since the beginning, so we’re really not too much worried.”
“He got juice in him,” Powell-Ryland said. “He can get going, and I’m looking forward to him putting it out there on TV himself, so the whole world can see.”
Cornerback Jaydon Hill says Jack Miller has displayed confidence over the last few weeks.
“Confidence. Jack is out there playing with confidence,” Hill said. “He been a little distant this season because he’s been battling an injury, but just seeing him back out there, completing balls and happy, it makes me happy because I know how it is, going through injuries and stuff like that.”
“I like his game. I like his work,” Hill said.
There isn’t anything Jack Miller can’t do, according to Hill.
“Jack has like a smooth release. Not the most powerful ball, but he has nice accuracy, nice touch.”
“Jack, he can do it all. He can run, he can throw. Me personally, I feel like Jack can do it all,” Hill said.
5th year offensive lineman Richard Gouraige had high praise for Miller when he arrived in Gainesville during the Spring semester, even referring to him as a “dog”.
“He’s still a dog, he’s still working, he’s still working really hard,” Gouraige said. “Nothing but praise for Jack, I know he’s going to go out there Saturday and do his thing. I’m just happy for him, a kid that’s definitely going to have an opportunity to showcase his talents. I’m excited for him.”
Gouraige says that Miller is in the football facility early and stays late.
“Jack, he been stepping up. Every time I get here at like 7:30 I’m always seeing him upstairs watching film with Coach and watching PFF or something like that. Always trying to improve his game the best way he can,” Gouraige said. “I know this is going to be a big challenge for him. First start, but I know that as an offensive line we are going to do our job and create less havoc for him and all that and just let him go out and do his thing.”
“After practice, Jack always holding receivers after practice and run routes and make sure they always have a connection going on. Jack been a great leader for us so far and I love what I’m seeing,” Gouraige said.
Gouraige has started in 41 games as a Florida Gator; he says that the offensive line will do their job to make Miller’s first start run smoothly.
“Just take it one play at a time really, just having confidence in your technique in whatever you do,” Gouraige said. “If you mess up, like today, if he just had a minor mistake or a bad read or something like that, we will always gather around him as an offensive line and always tell him “We got your back, you’re good.” We are going to do our job to the best of our ability, and we can make his job a little easier. “
Montrell Johnson has spent a lot of time near Jack Miller this season, but this will be his first time side by side with him during a game. Johnson had high praise for Miller on Monday night.
“I seen Jack locked in more than ever,” Johnson said. “He’s stepped up to the plate more than I expected him to. He’s making great throws at practice and he’s getting better and better every day.”
“He’s looking great,” Johnson said. “Making great throws, good reads. I’m very happy for him.”
With many quarterback questions looming and the offseason approaching, Miller has a chance to go out and make a statement.
“It’s an opportunity to show that he can get the job done and that he’s a very capable quarterback and a quarterback that’s able to start and lead the team,” Johnson said.
The offense isn’t going to change much with Jack Miller under center instead of Anthony Richardson, according to Johnson.
“Not very much change. It’s really the same,” Johnson said. “Anthony’s an extremely great player, but not many changes have been put into place. I think that Jack can get the job done. He can do the things that we need him to do to win the game.”
The main difference between the two QB’s is their running ability, Johnson says.
“From my perspective, I would say just the running ability. Jack, he’s able to run, but he’s not, you know, a very elusive guy,” Johnson said.
“Y’all are going to be surprised by Jack’s speed come game time,” Johnson adds.
The odds are stacked against Jack Miller, as Florida sits as 9.5-point underdogs just four days away from the contest. There was nearly a five-point swing in the spread when Anthony Richardson announced his decision to declare for the NFL draft.
Nonetheless, the Gators’ locker room is charged with confidence in Jack Miller to lead Florida to a victory over the Oregon State Beavers on December 17th.