Four-star LB prepares to name elite group

Highland Spring (Va.) linebacker Jarrell Miller is having quite the recruiting ride considering he's sitting on what many would describe as a mountain of offers – now it's time to narrow things down.

Along side his coach, Scott Burton, four-star rated Rivals250 member Miller is informing the schools that will not be making his final 11. After all the calls have been made, Burton and his star player will announce who has made the cut.

"I'm narrowing it down based on the coaching staff, the program, the academics, the African American graduation rate, and really the ranking of the whole school all together overall," Miller said. "It's kind of a down moment when you have to tell coaches you really got to know that you're not considering them any more, but it's also exciting to meet them in the first place."

One team appears to have made the cut and looks very likely for an official visit.

"I know I'm going to take one for sure to Tennessee," Miller said. "That's one for sure I know, but I just don't have the date set up for that. That's a program I really like so far in all of this."

Miller will be announcing sometime either in the middle of August before padded practice starts or right before his final senior season.

Former teammate and current Virginia Tech freshman Victor Harris played out his recruiting process very carefully, which is something coach Burton has tried to instill in the young men on his team.

"Victor went from open season in spring to narrowing it down, then had officials set by end of September and beginning of October," Burton said. "It allows them to be a kid and focus on academics. That's the process we're going to do, in turn, with Jarrell.

"He has said he would very much like to be a part of the U.S. Army (All-American) game and that's where he wants to make his announcement as well if he's ready."

As usual during this time of year, the Highland Springs team is in the middle of summer conditioning. One thing that has always stood out to coach Burton, and obviously the many college coaching staffs, is Miller's team attitude and what his coach calls an "old-fashioned attitude."

"I call him a throwback type of kid," Burton said about Miller's demeanor. "He's not your typical blue chip type player with the retro jerseys and it's not all about him. It's very refreshing to be around a kid who volunteers at our middle school and volunteered to read to a public youth group at the public library. He doesn't do that for the fanfare. It's refreshing."

Miller is rated as the No. 5 overall prospect in the state of Virginia by Rivals.com.