Florida's consistency is key with Coynis Miller
Being a top five prospect in the state of Alabama means this prospect is a lock to stay home and play at Alabama or Auburn right? In most cases, yes, but Coynis Miller might be different.
He has family members that are big Crimson Tide and Tiger fans, and he likes those schools too, but it is another SEC school that stands out the most to him right now.
And his family is OK with that.
"I feel no pressure to stay in state or to go to a certain school," said Miller. "My family is going to let me go wherever I want and I want to find the right school for me.
"Florida is my No. 1 school and when I told some close to me that, they were OK with it. I may want to do my own thing and leave Alabama. That is why I am taking my time with all of this."
Florida defensive line coach Chris Rumph worked hard for months building a relationship with the 6-foot-3, 295 pound defensive lineman out of Birmingham (Ala.) Jackson-Olin.
The two had a strong connection and Miller was finally able to get down to Gainesville (Fla.) for the first time in July.
That visit changed things for the Rivals 250 prospect.
"After visiting Florida for a three days, things really went well and I knew I liked them a lot. When I came back home, sat down and compared all the schools I was looking at, Florida just came out on top.
"I thought about the visit and just compared them to Alabama, Auburn and a few others schools. That is why I have them on top right now."
The consistency is a big factor for Gators and his time on the campus around the staff and players played big into his interest level as well.
"Florida just talks to me all the time. It is not just coach Rumph. Me and coach [Jajuan] Seider (running backs) have a good relationship and other coaches are coming at me too. They are consistent, they are recruiting me the hardest and it is a school I really like a lot.
"The love the coaches showed me when I was there really showed me that they really want me there. I was able to bond with the coaches, I met some of the players and I was able to find out a lot about the school and the program."
It all started with Rumph and he is key in Florida's success to this point. Miller has gotten to know him on more of a personal level.
"I have a great relationship with coach Rumph and he is one of the top defensive line coaches out there," said Miller. "We talk about every day, he is always reaching out to me and he is just a great guy.
"He has gotten to know me. At first, it was about recruiting, then it turned to life, family and things like that. He wants to know who I am as a person and I really like that. I know he is a great coach and we are getting to know each other very well."
Miller is going to spend more time in Tuscaloosa (Ala.) and Auburn (Ala.) than he will at the Swamp leading up to signing day because those places are closer to home and much easier to get to. He will take an official visit to Florida and he plans to see a game there this fall.
The Gators got off to a great start the first time they hosted Miller for a visit. If they can repeat that another couple of times, they may have a real shot at taking one of the best out of Alabama.
"It is a big decision, so I do not want to rush anything. I am planning to take all of my official visits before I make my decision. Florida will definitely get one of the visits.
"I want to see everything, be a man about this, and make the right decision for me. I will go wherever I feel is best for me. I have no problem leaving the state if that is what's right."
