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Christen Miller keeps Ohio State in the mix among final four schools

Jeremy-Birminghamby:Jeremy Birmingham•07/27/21•

Birm

Christen-Miller-by-Birm-Lettermen-Row

COLUMBUS — The Buckeyes remain a top choice for Cedar Grove (Ellenwood, Ga.) 4-star defensive lineman Christen Miller.

The country’s No. 20-ranked defensive lineman has narrowed his list to four schools: Ohio State, USC, Oregon and Georgia. Miller visited the Buckeyes on June 2, working out with Larry Johnson in a private workout.

“Coach Johnson was on point,” Miller said then. “We were in the back watching my film, and he just saw everything I did right, everything I did wrong. He saw it all.”

Miller originally had an April 4 decision date planned. The Ohio State offer was one of the reasons he opted to delay that.

“It’s true, there’s truth to that,” Miller told Lettermen Row in April. “I wanted to give everybody a fair shot … that’s one of my dream schools growing up.”

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Christen Miller worked out at Ohio State on June 2. (Birm/Lettermen Row)

Ohio State has long been a top contender for Miller, but his recruitment hasn’t shaped up exactly as expected. A planned official visit back to Columbus on June 25 didn’t happen. The 6-foot-4, 285-pound lineman has suggested that he’d like to make that happen during the season but the timing of the cancelation — or postponement — was eye-opening. USC hosted Miller for an official visit on June 11 and the decision to hold off on a return to Columbus came after that. The Trojans have emerged as a favorite in his recruitment, thanks in part to Miller’s interest in becoming an actor later in life.

The Buckeyes though, have Larry Johnson. The legendary defensive line coach has kept Ohio State in the mix, as well as Miller’s long-term relationship with Antwuan Jackson. Jackson, a former Cedar Grove star, has been a mentor of sorts to Miller since he was very young.

“When I moved up here, Antwuan kind of mentored me,” he said. “He’s kind of like a big brother to me … that bond grew tight.”

The question for Ohio State is whether or not that bond, and the reputation of Johnson, is enough to overcome the bright lights of Hollywood or the allure of home.

Miller is expected to take his time and take his remaining official visits in the fall before announcing a college choice.

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