Penn State Q&A: Lions cornerback Cam Miller talks start to second season, freshmen defenders, and more
Penn State second-year cornerback Cam Miller is not the most long-winded speaker on the Nittany Lions defense. In fact, he’d probably rank in the bottom third across the roster in that regard. But, the Florida native is among the team’s best playmakers despite his age, and he has no problem letting his actions on the field do most of the work when telling his story.
Miller was one of a number of Class of 2022 signees who burned their redshirt during their first year in State College. He contributed on special teams and to the defense, finishing with five tackles across 10 contests. Now a year older and wiser, he played the third-most cornerback snaps against West Virginia in Week 1 and led the Lions at that position with 21 in a Week 2 victory over Delaware while already racking up five stops (one for loss). He will again have a prominent role when Penn State opens Big Ten play this Saturday at Illinois (Noon, FOX).
“I feel like the main thing is, I’m getting more opportunities and building trust with the team and my coaches,” Miller, who stands 6-foot, 183 pounds, said Wednesday.
“The main thing for me is I’m understanding the game better which is allowing me to play better. I’m understanding my job and other’s jobs around me and the overall scheme of why we’re doing things.”
Coaches and teammates alike spent the offseason raving about how Miller attacks each day. He is a frequent film watcher who takes all parts of his on- and off-field preparation work seriously.
“I think Cam is really kind of that guy who’s showing up a lot of different ways, special teams, defensively, is going to continue to grow,” Lions coach James Franklin said earlier this month. “He’s a guy where, every single day this guy practices and meets and prepares like it’s the Super Bowl. He’s going to maximize his time here at Penn State and have a really good career. I think he’s a really good example for young players in our program.”
More from Penn State cornerback Cam Miller
Miller spoke with reporters for roughly 15 minutes on Tuesday. Some other highlights from his question and answer session include:
On freshmen cornerbacks Zion Tracy and Elliot Washington II:
“Every day they have the midnset of ready to work and ready to do whatever it takes to build trust with coaches and teammates, and overall working hard,” Miller said.
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On Tracy, he added: “His attention to detail, even when he was out, he was in the meetings and fully engaged. So, when it was time for camp, he was ready, and just his determination is what is allowing him to play. He was locked in even when he was hurt, and that builds trust.”
He said this on Washington II: “He’s a tough, physical, dynamic player. And, he’s very athletic. He also is a guy that wants it really bad. He has that mindset.”
Miller also was asked to address the performance of fellow Florida native and first-year Lions safety King Mack.
“King, he’s from Floirda, somebody I know since I’m from Florida as well,” Miller said. “I already had an expectation and knew what type of player he was going to be, and he met every expectation I had. He’s an energizer and is all over the field making plays. He can do a lot. I’m excited for his future.”
Last but not least, Miller said that playing a quarterback who can run, as Penn State will on Saturday when Luke Altmyer leads the Fighting Illini offense, does not change the way the cornerbacks play.
Read a full transcript of Miller’s call on The Lions Den message board.
