http://406mtsports.com/college/big-sky-conference/university-of-montana/montana-football-gains-arkansas-grad-transfer-safety-reid-miller/article_22e5ae74-a690-5a47-8789-5370cc12fb65.html
MISSOULA — Reid Miller isn't big into social media.
The Pennsylvania native rarely uses his Twitter account and his teammates at the University of Arkansas convinced him to sign up for Instagram just this year.
He has three pictures posted onto said Instagram account and his bio simply reads "Griz football." That's the only thing publicly connecting the future Montana safety to his new program.
"I don't like to post pictures," Reid told 406mtsports.com with a laugh. "I don't like to Tweet and all that."
Because of that, Miller's graduate transfer to the University of Montana flew somewhat under the radar.
A 5-foot-9, 202-pound safety, Miller said he filed his paperwork with Montana this week but told coaches of his commitment in mid-May. The rising senior has one year of eligibility remaining.
Miller adds depth to the defensive backs room. There are currently five safeties on Montana's roster — not including the true freshmen or spring walk-ons.
Miller decided to transfer out of the Arkansas program after spring ball concluded. He said that Montana came to the table late in the recruiting process but he was familiar with Bobby Hauck and the Montana program from early on in his football career.
"Even in high school I knew about the history of Montana football," Miller said. "From a young age I knew they were a really good program and made the playoffs consistently every year.
"... Coach Hauck's a great guy, a great coach and I've heard a lot of things about him. He and Coach (Bret) Bielema, my old coach who recruited me, had a good relationship. They talked and that's how it started."
Safeties coach Shann Schillinger was also involved in Miller's recruiting process.
The reasons Miller decided to transfer out of the Arkansas football program were two-fold.
He is passionate about getting his MBA but the University of Arkansas is currently revamping the program. And Bielema — the coach who recruited Miller to become a Razorback in the first place — was fired after Arkansas went 4-8 last year.
"Obviously when the person that recruits you leaves, it's sorta tough," Miller said. "... I also really wanted to get my MBA. So it was a little bit of both."
Miller graduated from the University of Arkansas in three years, earning his bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management with a management minor in May.
Before graduating, Miller only participated in a few practices of spring ball after needing to have his appendix removed.
"I stepped on the field maybe two or three practices and my appendix was about to burst," Miller said. "I had surgery and I was held out of the spring game just for precautionary purposes, so that sort of set me back too."
Miller primarily played on special teams for Arkansas, played in all 12 games as a junior, racking up nine tackles and recovered one fumble. Miller also played in all 13 of Arkansas' games as a sophomore and totaled nine tackles.
He walked on to Razorback program in 2015 and earned a scholarship from Bielema before his sophomore campaign. Miller earned that scholarship after playing in 12 of Arkansas' 13 games as a true freshman.
Before suiting up at Arkansas, Miller played high school football at Hollidaysburg High School in Pennsylvania and transferred to IMG Academy in Florida for his senior season.
Miller will be the second SEC drop-down to come to Montana in recent memory. Former Montana quarterback Reese Phillips came to UM from Kentucky after the 2015 season.
Miller is looking to make the most of his last year of eligibility.
"Obviously, contribute on defense and special teams," Miller said of what he wants to accomplish this fall. "Coach Hauck is a big special teams guy, so I'll do whatever to help the team win, honestly. If he tells me to be the water boy, I'll be the water boy."
To show his devotion to his future team, Miller plans to move up to the Treasure State on June 9 to spend the summer working out with the Grizzlies.
He'll be visiting Montana for the first time on Sunday to get things in order before moving up for good.
"I didn't want to come there right before fall camp and just jump into practice," Miller said. "I want to get there and show them what I'm about and let them know I'll do anything for them and for the team.
"My whole goal is to get there in June and just start developing relationships with the guys. That's the biggest thing. Just show them who you are and that you're there to work and help the team in anyway that you can."
MISSOULA — Reid Miller isn't big into social media.
The Pennsylvania native rarely uses his Twitter account and his teammates at the University of Arkansas convinced him to sign up for Instagram just this year.
He has three pictures posted onto said Instagram account and his bio simply reads "Griz football." That's the only thing publicly connecting the future Montana safety to his new program.
"I don't like to post pictures," Reid told 406mtsports.com with a laugh. "I don't like to Tweet and all that."
Because of that, Miller's graduate transfer to the University of Montana flew somewhat under the radar.
A 5-foot-9, 202-pound safety, Miller said he filed his paperwork with Montana this week but told coaches of his commitment in mid-May. The rising senior has one year of eligibility remaining.
Miller adds depth to the defensive backs room. There are currently five safeties on Montana's roster — not including the true freshmen or spring walk-ons.
Miller decided to transfer out of the Arkansas program after spring ball concluded. He said that Montana came to the table late in the recruiting process but he was familiar with Bobby Hauck and the Montana program from early on in his football career.
"Even in high school I knew about the history of Montana football," Miller said. "From a young age I knew they were a really good program and made the playoffs consistently every year.
"... Coach Hauck's a great guy, a great coach and I've heard a lot of things about him. He and Coach (Bret) Bielema, my old coach who recruited me, had a good relationship. They talked and that's how it started."
Safeties coach Shann Schillinger was also involved in Miller's recruiting process.
The reasons Miller decided to transfer out of the Arkansas football program were two-fold.
He is passionate about getting his MBA but the University of Arkansas is currently revamping the program. And Bielema — the coach who recruited Miller to become a Razorback in the first place — was fired after Arkansas went 4-8 last year.
"Obviously when the person that recruits you leaves, it's sorta tough," Miller said. "... I also really wanted to get my MBA. So it was a little bit of both."
Miller graduated from the University of Arkansas in three years, earning his bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management with a management minor in May.
Before graduating, Miller only participated in a few practices of spring ball after needing to have his appendix removed.
"I stepped on the field maybe two or three practices and my appendix was about to burst," Miller said. "I had surgery and I was held out of the spring game just for precautionary purposes, so that sort of set me back too."
Miller primarily played on special teams for Arkansas, played in all 12 games as a junior, racking up nine tackles and recovered one fumble. Miller also played in all 13 of Arkansas' games as a sophomore and totaled nine tackles.
He walked on to Razorback program in 2015 and earned a scholarship from Bielema before his sophomore campaign. Miller earned that scholarship after playing in 12 of Arkansas' 13 games as a true freshman.
Before suiting up at Arkansas, Miller played high school football at Hollidaysburg High School in Pennsylvania and transferred to IMG Academy in Florida for his senior season.
Miller will be the second SEC drop-down to come to Montana in recent memory. Former Montana quarterback Reese Phillips came to UM from Kentucky after the 2015 season.
Miller is looking to make the most of his last year of eligibility.
"Obviously, contribute on defense and special teams," Miller said of what he wants to accomplish this fall. "Coach Hauck is a big special teams guy, so I'll do whatever to help the team win, honestly. If he tells me to be the water boy, I'll be the water boy."
To show his devotion to his future team, Miller plans to move up to the Treasure State on June 9 to spend the summer working out with the Grizzlies.
He'll be visiting Montana for the first time on Sunday to get things in order before moving up for good.
"I didn't want to come there right before fall camp and just jump into practice," Miller said. "I want to get there and show them what I'm about and let them know I'll do anything for them and for the team.
"My whole goal is to get there in June and just start developing relationships with the guys. That's the biggest thing. Just show them who you are and that you're there to work and help the team in anyway that you can."
