TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The statement was bold, but it was honest, too.
Sure, Corey Miller is a proud father, especially when it comes to his son Alabama linebacker Christian Miller. But, as a former NFL linebacker himself, he knows a thing or two about what makes a player great at the position.
Corey played nine seasons in the NFL after he was selected in the sixth round by the New York Giants in 1991. During his first three seasons in the league, he played across from Hall of Famer Lawrence Taylor. So, when Corey says his son Christian compares to the former NFL great, he’s coming from a vantage point of experience.
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“I thought Lawrence had something nobody could teach,” Corey said. “He was a big weight-room guy, but he had that tenacious ability to rush the quarterback, those long arms, and he had a burst that he could turn the corner and flick his hips so quick. He was a quick-twitch guy, and that’s what I see in Christian.”
A redshirt junior on Alabama’s roster, Christian has a long way to go before he reaches that level. But to his dad’s credit, there have been some moments where it’s easy to see his potential on the field.
Last season, Christian totaled 16 tackles, 2.5 for a loss, with two sacks and four quarterback hurries. Playing behind starters Ryan Anderson and Tim Williams at outside linebacker, his time on defense was limited. In fact, the highlight of his sophomore season came on a block on special teams to spring Eddie Jackson for an 85-yard punt return against Ole Miss.
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This year, the former four-star recruit figures to play a much bigger role for the Crimson Tide. Coming to Alabama as the No. 65 overall player in the 2014 class, Christian weighed in at a lanky 205 pounds. Now, heading into his fourth season with the program, the 6-4 linebacker has bulked up to 240 pounds.
“I think the thing we’ve always tried to do is get him strong enough that he can go out there and sustain playing at the point,” Alabama head coach Nick Saban said earlier this spring. “I think he’s made an improvement in that area and certainly can help us in the pass-rush category. That’s something that getting a little bigger, helping him turn speed into power, and that’ll be certainly something that would help him be a more effective rusher. We’re pleased with the progress that he’s made.”
The added muscle should help as Christian goes up against SEC lineman next season. Surprisingly, he said his new weight hasn’t caused him to lose a step, either.
“I feel like I’m more confident in the run game,” Christian said. “I honestly probably feel more explosive, too. The weight hasn’t affected me at all. I’m probably faster as well. I feel good.”
That's good news for Christian, who has been known for his athleticism from a young age. When his older brother C.J., who also went to Alabama, began playing football, 7-year-old Christian would often steal the show, performing standing backflips on the sideline. To this day, the act has earned him the nickname “the flipping kid” by his friends and family back home in Columbia, S.C.
While he knows better than to bust out the trick during any of Alabama’s practices, Christian says his flipping days are far from over.
“I can still do them,” he said with a smile. “Not at practice. I don’t think Coach Saban would be a fan of that. No, I can still do it.”
This year, Cristian appears poised to impress in different ways. Coming back as one of the leading candidates for the two open starting positions, he has rotated with Terrell Hall and Anfernee Jennings on the first-team unit this spring.
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“Just watching him go out there and pretty much ball out every day is great to see,” Alabama linebacker Keith Holcombe said. “He’s a great pass rusher, (he’s got) great strength. He’s going to be very good for us this year.”
Christian has primarily been working at the Sam linebacker during practice, a position he says he’s “very comfortable” at.
"That’s kind of something I’ve done for awhile," he said. "That’s something that kind of fits my game. I can cover tight ends. I can drop. I can play the edge. That’s honest. That’s what I do. So, I’m very comfortable there.”
The new role comes with an added set of expectations. With Alabama losing its top four sack leaders from last season, many have already mentioned Christian’s name as one of the Tide’s most dangerous options coming off the edge.
Last year, Williams and Anderson tallied nine sacks apiece. If given the opportunity this season, Corey said he feels his son could easily reach double digits. That’d be nice, but right now Christian’s taking a slower approach, looking to find where he fits on the field before making any predictions.
“Do I think it could be me? I have confidence in myself, I do,” Christian said. “But it’s like Coach Saban tells us, it’s not always about making sacks. Sometimes you just need to affect the quarterback, and that’s what we’re working on. It’s not always about the numbers. There are also other ways you can put up stats that may not be on paper.”
That humble approach should only help Christian see the field sooner next season. Just don’t let it catch you off guard once he does. The talented linebacker is expected to make plenty of noise with his play.
“The more opportunity he gets, you’re going to see,” Corey said. “He has the ability to do some special things, and it’s going to be fun to watch.”
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