It may have come as a surprise to some, but Ventrell Miller has been locked in and back on the field for the Gators the past two weeks. Even with Miller not being at full health, he’s found a way to have a major impact for a struggling Florida defense. The senior linebacker has recorded 14 total tackles, four solo tackles, and a forced fumble since his return to the field against Tennessee.
This Saturday, the Florida defense will face a Missouri offense that put up 294 total yards against Georgia in a 26-22 near loss to the Dawgs. With six straight SEC games on the way, this Florida front four and secondary need to get things figured out very quickly.
“I think everybody really just knows we emphasize it’s a big week coming up, knowing that we’re 0-2 in the SEC conference. I think the guys are just motivated to go out and get that first win. We’ve been working extremely hard at practice to come and do that,” Miller said.
This team understands what’s at stake. With no wins so far in SEC play and LSU coming to town the next week, it’s vital this team gets a win this Saturday.
“It’s definitely important. Like I said, the goal is to win from here on out,” Miller said on winning this game. “It’s been a different energy at practice. More people flying around. We are emphasizing people to communicate more so we’re on the same page. Like I said, it’s SEC Conference game, so everybody’s pumped up about going out there for that one.”
Ventrell Miller has been giving it his all and doing everything in his power to have an impact for this team.
Although there were concerns of his availability in Knoxville, Miller finished the game and played out of his mind for someone who wasn’t completely healthy.
“Yeah, most definitely. I was a little anxious when I went out there at Tennessee. I saw what I could do still,” Miller said on surprising himself. “I’m going to keep putting the pads on, coming out every game week, and give it my all for my teammates.”
In the end, Miller was given the decision on whether he was going to play or not. Deep down he always knew what he was going to do, regardless of the pain or injury.
“I felt like deep down, I always wanting to play,” Miller said. “Dealing with the injury before, I didn’t really know what was going on. It was close to a game day decision for me. Probably that Friday I made a decision I was going to play.”
The senior linebacker is the definition of what it means to be a Florida Gator. With the help of a great training and health staff, Miller was able to have a dominate performance against the Vols.
“I couldn’t even tell you,” Miller said on the percentage at which he played. “It was like a numbing shot they gave me, so you don’t really feel it when you’re out there. Without the numbing, I would say 60, 70. I’d say 70.”
Fortunately for Florida, Ventrell Miller is back at full health for the first time since the start of the season. This is huge news for the Gators heading into the second half of the season.
Miller is someone who continues to work on his craft day in and day out in any way that he possibly can. There’s always room to improve for the fifth-year linebacker.
“I feel like there’s always room for improvement, keeping that mindset, getting better with the little things. Like, the little things are easy to do, but even easier not to do it. I know Inky Johnson came in and said that,” Miller said on his game.
“I feel like keying in on those little things, keeping the mind there is always room for improvement, getting better each and every day. Not taking it for granted. I’ve been hurt. Just come out and try to get better each and every day.”
In terms of improving his game, being alert and aware of what his teammates are doing and everyone around him at all times has been key for Ventrell Miller. It’s something Miller takes very seriously even as a veteran player.
“I know it’s something we emphasize is just being a four-deep player, knowing what you’re doing, the other guys are doing, executing everything, knowing what the offense is doing. I think that has been my biggest thing thus far,” Miller said.
Not only has Miller seen improvement with his game mentally, but also physically.
“I had some spectacular strength staff just being here. Coach Savage, Coach Hocke now. They’ve done an extremely job preparing me, getting me ready, every year faster. I know they emphasize speed when Coach Hocke first came in. They definitely got me on speed.”
This Florida Gator defense is nowhere near where it needs to be heading into week 6 of the 2022 football season. With Missouri, LSU, and Georgia all standing in the way of Florida the next three weeks, Florida will have to get into rhythm rather quickly on defense.
With the Gators getting Ventrell Miller back to full health, I’m curious to see if this defense will start to figure it out. The defensive front must bring more pressure than they did last Sunday, and the secondary cannot let big plays happen down field like they did against Tennessee.
This weekend will be another great test for the Florida defense to show everyone if they have what it takes to turn it up during the most pivotal time of the season.