LB Miller is still wide open

Along with visits from the state's top players in Percy Harvin and Damon McDaniel last week, the Hokies had another visit from the No. 5 player in Virginia, Jarrell Miller. What did the 6-foot-3, 235-pounder think of his visit to Blacksburg?

"I had fun, I enjoyed it," he said. "I went to the locker room and talked to some of the players and my former teammates including Macho (Harris) and Noland Burchette. Tech is the same thing to me every time I go, you get what you see. They never change and that's the thing I like about it, they are not fake about anything. They tell you how it is, they are real. I also talked to the coaches and they asked me how I was doing and stuff."

Where does the visit put the Hokies for the Highland Springs linebacker?

"I like all the schools the same right now," he said. "They are all even to me. I'm also looking at Virginia, Maryland, North Carolina, Tennessee, Nebraska, Florida, Miami, LSU, North Carolina State, Boston College and Penn State."

What does the Rivals 250 prospect think about fellow ACC newcomer Boston College?

"I like how the coaches were when I called them," he said. "Coach Willis is a great coach and he grew up in the same situation I did, in the projects and ghetto. He had it tough growing up and it's nice to have someone who can relate to something like that. I was going to take a visit up there, but for financial reasons I didn't get to. I think Boston College has a good program and coach Willis brings a lot to their program. One day I'll get a chance to visit them."

Miller plans to start narrowing his list during the football season. Right now though, he's focusing on himself and his team.

"This year I'm expecting our team to become the best team we can be. The team has a lot of heart this year and I think we can go all the way," he said. "Everyone is hungry and waiting for the season to start. I have a lot to accomplish this year and I know I can't do it all alone. One thing in particular I want to do is play at the U.S. Army All-American game and be able to pull my hat out there.

"For myself, I just want to work on my football skills and my maturity to become a better player. My coach has told me to never be satisfied and every day I take that saying to heart and get better and better. I also want to work on my grades and SAT this year. My grades come before anything else."

Miller didn't get to visit too many schools this summer as he was working two jobs. One other stop he did make though was to Maryland in June.

"That was a fun visit and we really worked on football there," he said. "I went there with my cousin and uncles and it was a good time. I talked to coach Friedgen, Brattan and Sollazzo. I had a real nice talk with all of them."

Miller recorded 80 tackles, 12 for loss and one sack as he was named all-district, all-region, all-metro and second team all-state as a junior.