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Ventrell Miller missing some UF spring practices, but not due to injury

On3 imageby:Zach Abolverdi•03/24/22•

ZachAbolverdi

On3 image
Florida linebacker Ventrell Miller. (Photo by Jordan Herald/UAA Communications)

Florida Gators linebacker Ventrell Miller is limited in practice this spring, but not due to his season-ending injury in 2021. 

Miller played in just two games last season after suffering a torn biceps tendon at South Florida. He missed the first two days of spring camp, returning to the football field for the first time last Saturday. 

However, Miller was once again absent from Tuesday. UF coach Billy Napier revealed why after practice. 

“Ventrell’s cleared (to play),” Napier said. “Ventrell is in the process of trying to complete his degree.”

Napier revealed that Miller is taking a class this spring for graduation, but it falls during Florida’s practice times on Tuesday and Thursday. 

That means Miller can only join the team on Saturdays, but as a sixth-year senior who’s coming off shoulder surgery, rehab is more important than reps for him. 

“He’s a veteran player. He’s in the back half of his career,” Napier said. “There’s a particular course he has to take this semester so he can graduate in the summer. There’s a conflict on Tuesday and Thursday, so we just get him on Saturday right now. That’s probably not a bad thing due to his injury and the amount of volume that he can handle, so it’s working out.”

Miller led the Gators with 86 tackles in 2020 and was named the preseason All-SEC team heading into last year. Miller walked at Senior Day against Florida State, but announced on Christmas Day that he was returning for a sixth season. 

Napier recognized Miller’s impact on the defense in his first practice last Saturday. 

“I’m going to tell you, when Ventrell was here you could feel his presence. He’s a vocal guy. He’s got great presence and energy. And he’s certainly been a productive player,” Napier said. “I think the consensus here last year is when he got hurt it was a little bit of a setback for the team and the defense in particular. 

“We’re excited he’s back. I have enjoyed getting to know Ventrell. He’s another player, much like Nay’Quan Wright, that I think has some leadership quality and maturity about him. I’m thankful for Ventrell.”

So is the inside linebacker room, which is a young group outside of fellow senior Amari Burney. Having Miller’s leadership and guidance for one more season will be invaluable for Derek Wingo, Diwun Black, Scooby Williams and incoming freshman Shemar James.

“It means everything,” Burney said of Ventrell Miller’s return. “When you’re missing a leader, you kind of miss a step a little bit on getting those guys back. We’re going to be more steps ahead and we’re going to be ready to go.”

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