It's almost football time in the Bluegrass once again, and this time, Kroger Field has a fresh start to look forward to. With 26 days until Kentucky kicks off the Will Stein era against Youngstown State, I figure now is as good a time as any to stake my claim in the Wildcats' week-one MVP. DJ Miller will be the guy to come out and turn heads for Coach Stein out of the gate.
Miller, returning for his sophomore season in Lexington, may not be the most obvious pick for an immediate breakout. Kenny Minchey under center is the guy with every pair of eyes on him. On defense, fellow returnee Ty Bryant also has the potential to come out swinging vs. the Penguins.
However, Miller has been one to watch all offseason. Back in July, the aforementioned Minchey confidently dubbed Miller "the best receiver in the country," saying, "He’s very athletic. His tenacity and his size,” (per KSR). That's tough talk, but it comes from the guy who has been throwing Miller the ball all summer.
Coming in at 6-foot-3, 208 lbs, Minchey certainly has a point about Miller's frame. The man is built for SEC competition. His relatively slow start last season had everything to do with the nature of Kentucky's struggles, to no fault of his own.
DJ Miller's Slow Start Can't Be Blamed Solely on Him
While Miller still came in comfortably behind both Kendrick Law and Hardley Gilmore IV, the latter's recent dismissal has cleared the runway for Miller to take control of that unit. Law's move to the NFL, being drafted by the Detroit Lions, further opened things up.
It's not like Miller put together a miserable season, either. In his one game with more than two receptions, against Tennessee on Oct. 25, Miller hauled in a ridiculous 120 yards on five receptions. Both of his touchdowns came against the Volunteers that night, too.
That contest, in spite of the Cats losing in a 56-34 rout, served as a bit of a coming out party for Miller. What he was capable of was clearly outlined as Bush Hamdan's offense fully looked the part, for once. That's the guy Minchey is talking about so promisingly.
That's the guy that I believe will come out and make a statement on Sep. 5. It should be a huge game all around with Youngstown State coming to town. But, if there's any one-of-one takeaway, it'll be Miller making Minchey look like a genius for what he said about him this summer.
Signed, sealed, and delivered, BBN. DJ Miller is your week-one MVP... or, he will be. You get the picture.
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