NCAA Canadian profile: Jerome Miller, Missouri S & T (Toronto)

Over the next few months CFC will be profiling Canadians playing in the NCAA. CFC tracks all Canadian action south of the border and at the end of the year will update our ‘Canadians in US College’ list.

To check out the list of players that played in the NCAA / NAIA in 2009 please click here.

Check out the bottom of each article for links to other Canadian NCAA player articles.

Today’s Profile:
Jerome Miller
Running Back
Missouri S & T
Division 2
Senior
Toronto, ON
CEGEP Vanier / Don Bosco

1) For those Canadians who do not already know, talk a little bit about how you got to where you are right now.

Coming out of high school I didn’t have the grades to go anywhere so I ended up going to Vanier College in Montreal. The coaches from Vanier had been scouting me from the previous year so I was fully aware of what Cegep and Vanier was all about so for the next two years I played football and went to school in Montreal to improve my grades as well as gather more game film. After my second season, and much improved grades, I Attended the Ron Dias combines. At that point I was being recruited by many D1 schools including Uconn, Boston College, and Penn State, but after having difficulty getting cleared by the NCAA clearing house the attention I once had from these schools slowly vanished. Missouri S&T which is my current school saw me run at a combine, asked for my game film and the next day they called and offered me a full scholarship. Because of my clearing house problems I could still receive a scholarship but I would have to sit out my freshman year. Missouri S&T kept there scholarship offer on the table, so later that month I signed with them.

2) What is the best thing about playing NCAA Football? What is the most challenging thing?

The best thing about playing NCAA football is knowing you’re looked at as a superior athlete. NCAA at any level and any sport is supposed to have the best college athletes, we represent a deep respected fraternity and I’m proud to be a member of it. The most challenging thing I’d have to say would be the competition. At every position there’s at least two or three guys in line waiting for you to mess up so they can take your spot, you have to always bring you’re A game every day because B students might not be good enough on the football field.

3) What is your biggest individual goal for 2010 season? Team goal?

Rushing for over 1200 yards is my biggest individual goal. I’ve been playing in a spread offence since I’ve been here so running the ball hasn’t been something we do very often here but with our new coaching staff we’ve turned into a more balanced attack which means more touches for the running backs so I hope I can take full advantage of the opportunity. As far as team goals I’d like to win another conference title as well as make the playoffs. I’ve already got one conference ring and I’d love to have another one especially since this is my senior season.

4) What is something that people should know about you?

I work extremely hard both on and off the field. Success in the classroom is just as important to me as success on the field. Maybe even more in the classroom because you’re going to need that degree once it’s time to hang up your cleats. I have four younger siblings, so I’m forced to lead by example, but it’s a role I gladly accept.

5) What advice do you have to young football players in Canada?

Never let anyone tell you you’re not good enough. No matter what you’re doing always remember hard work always pays off. If you want something in life you’re going to have to work for it. The work you put in is the results you’ll get back. As far as football goes treat every play as if it were your last because at any moment it could all be taken from you. Treat practice like a job, if you want to get paid you’re going to have work for it, so go to work.

Past Articles

Philip Blake OL, Baylor (Toronto)

Marco IannuzziREC, Harvard University (Calgary)

George Pearkes TE, Duke University (Nelson, BC)

John Bender OL, Nevada (Cochrane, AB)