Photo: Ventrell Miller; Credit: Alex Shepherd
After undergoing a bone graft surgery to repair a Jones fracture in his right foot to begin the offseason, former Florida linebacker and draft prospect Ventrell Miller is growing healthier as the NFL Draft quickly approaches.
On Monday, NFL Network's Cameron Wolfe reported that Miller will attend the NFL Combine without a boot on his right foot this week. He will appear in Indianapolis to meet teams and doctors, getting an opportunity to explain his health to his prospective teams during routine prospect interviews.
However, he is not expected to participate in drills with his fellow prospects.
Wolfe also reported on Monday that Miller is expected to be a full participant in rookie minicamp.
The lingering effects of a foot injury Miller suffered against Kentucky forced the talented linebacker to miss the Reese's Senior Bowl on Feb. 4 after surgery on Dec. 22.
His anticipated showing in Mobile, Ala., was expected to boost the Gators' second-level defender up draft boards, as it has for Florida prospects in recent years.
Instead, he was sidelined.
Missing just one game with the fracture this season, Miller's presence was sorely missed as UF went blow-for-blow with an eventual 1-11 USF squad. The Bulls exploited the hole he left in the middle of the defense, gashing Florida for 286 yards on the ground and 28 points in a near-upset in The Swamp.
Despite his injury, the Lakeland, Fla., native made a quick turnaround to suit up for the Gators' week four matchup at Tennessee.
He maintained his status as a starter throughout the remainder of the regular season, refusing to take time off in his sixth and final year in orange and blue after playing in just two contests in 2021. He missed 11 games with a torn bicep that year.
Miller bounced back strongly in 2022 as an anchor to a sputtering Florida defense, compiling 74 tackles, 8.5 TFLs, two pass breakups and two forced fumbles in 11 appearances.
Miller's talent working downhill against ball carriers and growing sideline-to-sideline pursuit — an evident piece of his progression in 2022 — pops off the tape. His speed, play diagnosis and surefire tackling ability make him an intriguing Day 2/3 prospect in the eyes of professional scouts.
Barring any setbacks caused by his injury history, Miller projects to earn selection as a talented and experienced piece to bolster the middle of an NFL franchise's second level.
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