The future stars of Ohio State football officially begin their college careers, as standouts from all over the country put pens to their National Letters of Intent.
You don’t have to look very hard to figure out why Harry Miller was one of Ohio State’s top targets in the recruiting class of 2019.
The Miller File
- Class: 2019
- Size: 6-foot-4, 300 pounds
- Pos: OC
- School: Buford (GA)
- Composite Rating: ★★★★★
- Composite Rank: 2 (OC)
On the field, Miller projects as a future star of Ohio State’s offensive line. A five-star composite recruit, Miller ranks as the No. 31 overall prospect and the second-best center in his class, giving him the potential to follow in the footsteps of Pat Elflein, Billy Price and Michael Jordan and become the Buckeyes’ next All-American at the position.
Listed at 6-foot-4 and 300 pounds, Miller has all the tools to develop into a dominant anchor for the Buckeyes up front. He has the quick feet needed to excel as an offensive lineman at Ohio State, but also great strength and power, and he played all five positions along the line in high school – giving himself the versatility to fill any spot that might open up in the Buckeyes’ lineup.
As good as Miller is on the field, though, he stands out just as much off the field. He’s a star student in the classroom – as of this past summer, he held a 4.0 grade-point average at Buford High School – and he’s taken annual mission trips to Nicaragua, where he gives back to people in need.
Hilary Snook, the co-operator of the Mission for Nicaragua, told Eleven Warriors this summer that Miller “is very much a servant.”
Also went down to Georgia...
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) December 19, 2018
And came back with a 5 Center! Welcome @h_miller76!#GoBucks #Dynasty19 #NSD19 pic.twitter.com/XuLDJqzCaW
“Sometimes with ministry and mission work, you have the mindset that, ‘We’re Americans and we’re here to save the day,’” Snook said of Miller, who plans to continue taking annual trips to Nicaragua and will serve on the mission’s board of directors. “Harry does not have that mentality. He very much has a servant heart and he’s very humble. He tries to just play and have relationship with the kids and love on the people and pray with them. Harry’s choice to return and return and return shows that it’s not just a check in the box. He has a heart for that.”
He’s received accolades aplenty both on and off the field, including most valuable lineman honors at The Opening this summer and an invitation to this year’s All-American Bowl, which recently named him as one of the finalists for this year’s Man of the Year award, which recognizes a game participant who achieves “a high standard of excellence in community service, education, and athletic distinction.”
Blend all of that together, and it’s easy to see Miller being the next Price or Elflein not only because of his ability to lead the way for Ohio State’s offense on the field, but also to be an emotional and spiritual leader for the Buckeyes off the field.
Miller announced his commitment to Ohio State in June, having already made four visits to campus after being offered by the Buckeyes the previous June. Having built strong bonds with both head coach Urban Meyer and offensive coordinator Ryan Day, Miller actually committed to Ohio State during the spring game, but had planned to announce his commitment during his annual mission trip. He announced a few weeks earlier than planned, however, after being forced to cancel his mission trip this year due to civil unrest in Nicaragua.
Miller’s relationship with Meyer is particularly strong, as is the relationship between Meyer and Miller’s mother, Kristina, a domestic abuse survivor who publicly voiced support for Meyer in August after Meyer was suspended three games for how he handled domestic abuse allegations against former Ohio State wide receivers coach Zach Smith.
That led to some questions about whether Miller would still sign with the Buckeyes after Meyer announced his retirement earlier this month. Ultimately, though, Miller’s relationship with Day – who has also built a strong relationship with Miller’s mother – was enough to keep the five-star center firmly committed.
Did everyone hear my bff @ryandaytime just became Head Coach of @OhioStateFB?! Wow! He is going to be extraordinary! Elite Coach, even better person. On the shoulders of giants, on his own way 2 greatness. Congrats my friend, Nina & kids too! See U 2morrow #LegendInTheMaking pic.twitter.com/OZ2zxiVObE
— Kristina Miller (@KschilbMiller) December 5, 2018
On the field, the Buckeyes will likely look to give Miller at least a year to develop before thrusting him into the lineup, as they prefer to do with offensive linemen. But with starting guards Malcolm Pridgeon and Demetrius Knox on their way out, and Jordan also a potential candidate to leave for the NFL, Miller should have a shot to earn a spot on the two-deep in 2019.
Even if he has to wait his turn on the field, though, it’s easy to see Miller immediately making a difference off the field and in the locker room as a leader of his class throughout his career.
