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Ventrell Miller

Ventrell Miller (born January 15, 1999) is an American professional football linebacker for the of the (). Standing at 6 feet 0 inches and weighing 232 pounds, he plays as an outside linebacker known for his run-stopping ability and pass-rush contributions. Miller played for the , where he compiled 240 total tackles, 23.5 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and one over five seasons from 2018 to 2022. He was selected by the Jaguars in the fourth round (121st overall) of the . Raised in , Miller attended Kathleen High School, where he excelled as a defensive standout. As a junior in 2015, he recorded 104 tackles, nine tackles for loss, and five pass breakups, earning Florida High School 's Class 7A All-State second-team honors. In his senior year of 2016, Miller tallied 50 tackles and three sacks, securing the Lakeland Ledger's Defensive Player of the Year award in Polk County and another second-team All-State selection. Rated as a three-star recruit by major scouting services, he committed to the over offers from programs including State, , and . At , Miller redshirted his 2017 freshman season and faced an early setback with a one-game suspension for the 2020 opener due to a team violation. He emerged as a key defender in 2020, leading the Gators with 88 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, and three pass defenses. In 2021, a injury limited him to two games and eight tackles. His 2022 season marked a breakout, with 74 tackles, a team-high 8.5 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, and two pass defenses in 11 games despite missing one early due to a foot injury (). In his professional career with the Jaguars, Miller suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon in the 2023 preseason, causing him to miss his entire rookie year. He debuted in 2024, starting nine of 15 games and recording 80 combined tackles (53 solo), three pass defenses, and one forced fumble while earning a 64.2 overall PFF grade, ranking 37th among NFL linebackers. Entering 2025 recovered from a late-2024 ankle injury, through 10 games as of Week 10, Miller has logged 25 total tackles (nine solo), two pass defenses, and one forced fumble while maintaining strong run defense metrics with an 80.9 PFF grade in that category.

Early life

Family background

Ventrell Miller was born on January 15, 1999, in . He grew up in this city, a community characterized by tight-knit neighborhoods and a strong emphasis on family support systems that helped shape his early sense of resilience amid everyday challenges. As the second of five boys raised primarily by a , Miller experienced a dynamic centered on collective effort and perseverance. His mother, Kamisha Smith, gave birth to his older brother at age 15 and to Ventrell at 17, navigating young parenthood while working day shifts at to provide for the family. Smith's extended family played a crucial role in child-rearing, with her mother, Eva Davis, providing care for the boys during day shifts, embodying the "village" mentality that instilled in Miller a foundational value of never giving up. This environment in Lakeland fostered deep local ties, as the family relied on community networks and neighborhood play—often on nearby Enterprise Street—for the boys' upbringing and social development. Miller's early introduction to football came through alongside his brother Antonio on the Lakeland Predators youth team, starting around age 4 or 5, where his instinctive tackling style quickly emerged despite the non-contact format. These formative experiences, supported by his family's encouragement, laid the groundwork for his transition to organized tackle football at Kathleen High School in Lakeland.

High school career

Ventrell Miller attended Kathleen High School in , where he played as an outside linebacker for the Kathleen Red Devils. During his junior year in 2015, Miller recorded 104 tackles, nine tackles for loss, and five pass breakups, earning him Florida High School Football's Class 7A All-State First Team honors. In his senior year of 2016, he tallied 50 tackles and three sacks, securing the Lakeland Ledger's Defensive Player of the Year award in Polk County and Class 7A second-team All-State selection. Rated as a three-star by both and , Miller committed to the in June 2017, signing with the Gators as part of their 2017 recruiting class.

College career

2017 suspension and early years

Ventrell Miller enrolled at the in 2017 as part of the Gators' recruiting class, having committed from Kathleen High School in . However, his freshman season was derailed by a suspension for involvement in a scandal. In September 2017, Miller was one of nine players facing third-degree charges for and impersonation after allegedly using a strength and conditioning staff member's credit card without consent to purchase electronics at a university discount. The suspension lasted the entire 2017 season, during which Miller did not play and redshirted, allowing him to preserve a year of eligibility. In October 2017, he agreed to a pre-trial intervention program, which pending completion of requirements like . Miller was reinstated and rejoined the team in January 2018, marking his return to activities after the . As a that year, he appeared in all 13 games, primarily as a reserve linebacker, recording 15 combined tackles (8 solo, 7 assisted), 2.0 tackles for loss, 1.0 , and 1 returned 82 yards for a . His came against Southern, providing an early highlight in his collegiate debut season. In 2019, as a redshirt sophomore, Miller transitioned into a starting role, appearing in 12 games and starting 11 at linebacker while finishing second on the team with 55 combined tackles (27 solo, 28 assisted). He also contributed 5.5 tackles for loss, 3.0 sacks, and 2 pass deflections, demonstrating significant growth in pass-rushing and coverage abilities. Post-suspension, Miller credited the experience with maturing him, noting it motivated him to stay with the program and rebuild his standing through consistent performance and dedication. This adjustment period solidified his position on the depth chart, setting the foundation for his development as a key defensive contributor.

2020–2022 seasons

In the 2020 season, as a junior, Ventrell Miller was suspended for the season opener due to a team violation but emerged as a cornerstone of the ' defense, appearing in 11 games and recording 88 combined tackles, including 52 solo stops, to lead the team in that category. He also contributed 7.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, three pass deflections, and one recovery, showcasing his versatility in run support and pass coverage. His standout performance came in the game against Ole Miss, where he tallied 15 tackles, earning him Defensive Player of the Week honors. The 2021 season proved challenging for Miller, as a senior, when he was limited to just two games due to a injury that required , sidelining him for the remainder of the year. In those limited appearances, he managed eight combined tackles, with three and five assisted. This setback tested his , building on the maturity he had developed after overcoming an early college suspension. Returning as a fifth-year senior in , Miller played in 11 games, posting 74 combined tackles (34 solo, 40 assisted), 8.5 tackles for loss, two pass deflections, one fumble recovery, and two forced fumbles, demonstrating strong in the linebacker room. His efforts helped anchor the Gators' defense amid a transitional year, highlighting his growth into a vocal presence on the field. Over his entire college career at , Miller amassed 240 combined tackles, 23.5 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, one interception, seven pass deflections, two forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries across 49 games. Following the 2022 regular season, he announced his decision to forgo the Gators' bowl game and declare for the , prioritizing professional preparation.

Professional career

2023 NFL draft and injury

Ventrell Miller was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the fourth round (121st overall) of the 2023 NFL Draft, marking the team's first pick on Day 3 after trading with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for the selection. The Jaguars valued Miller's college production at the University of Florida, where he had emerged as a tackling leader in his final eligible season, positioning him as a potential depth piece in their linebacker room. Following the draft, Miller signed a four-year rookie contract with the Jaguars on May 12, 2023, valued at $4,576,936, including a of $736,936 and guarantees of $736,936. The deal carried a 2023 cap hit of approximately $934,234, reflecting standard slot value for a fourth-round linebacker. Miller's preseason began slowly after offseason to repair a broken in his foot, which sidelined him for much of . He gradually increased his snaps, contributing on special teams and defense; in the second preseason game against the , he recorded a in the fourth quarter. His most notable performance came in the third preseason game against the on August 26, 2023, where he earned an 83.9 overall grade from before exiting early. During the third quarter of that Dolphins game, Miller suffered a torn , a season-ending injury confirmed by head coach the following day. The Jaguars placed him on injured reserve on August 30, 2023, resulting in Miller playing zero games during his rookie season. Miller underwent shortly after the injury and began a structured rehabilitation process focused on restoring strength and mobility in his lower leg. The Jaguars provided ongoing medical support and access to their training facilities, allowing him to remain integrated with the team during his recovery, which emphasized gradual progression toward a 2024 return.

2024 season

Miller made his NFL debut in the 2024 season opener against the on September 8, following his recovery from an Achilles injury sustained in the 2023 preseason. He appeared in all 15 games for the , starting nine, primarily after veteran linebacker was placed on injured reserve in late September. In his playing season, Miller recorded 80 combined tackles, including 53 stops and 27 assists, along with 4 tackles for loss, 3 pass deflections, and 1 forced . He participated in 482 defensive snaps, accounting for 46% of the Jaguars' total defensive plays, reflecting his integration into a rotational role that evolved into a starting position by midseason. Miller's role expanded notably in Week 4 against the Houston Texans, where he earned his first career start and delivered a career-high 11 tackles. His first career forced fumble came in Week 6 against the , where he also recorded 10 tackles. Throughout the year, he contributed as a versatile inside linebacker, focusing on run support and coverage, with his snap share increasing to over 70% in several starts as the Jaguars' defense sought stability amid injuries.

2025 season

Miller missed the first five weeks of the 2025 season due to an ankle injury but returned in Week 6, having fully recovered by June 2025 training activities. In the 2025 season, Ventrell Miller has appeared in ten games for the through Week 11, making two starts and recording 25 combined tackles (9 solo, 16 assisted), along with 2 pass deflections and 1 forced fumble. His contributions have been steady in a reserve capacity, building on a breakout 2024 campaign where he emerged as a key rotational piece with 80 tackles. Miller has logged 179 defensive snaps, accounting for approximately 28% of the team's total defensive plays, reflecting his role as a depth linebacker with rotational usage behind starters and Chad Muma. This snap distribution has allowed him to contribute on run defense and in coverage without overwhelming primary responsibilities, maintaining a balanced workload amid the Jaguars' linebacker depth chart. A highlight of Miller's 2025 performance came in Week 10 against the Houston Texans on November 9, where he forced a on kickoff Tremon Smith, setting up a that briefly energized Jacksonville's offense in a 35-16 loss. This play underscored a trend of opportunistic defensive impacts from Miller, including early-season deflections against the and , though his tackle production has trended modestly compared to prior years. As of Week 11, 2025, Miller's career totals stand at 105 combined tackles, 4 tackles for loss, 5 pass deflections, and 2 forced fumbles, with no sacks or interceptions recorded across three seasons.

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