88 MINUS 40 DAYS TO KICKOFF: Torell Miller

#88 Torell Miller Redshirt Senior 6-2 | 216 New Orleans, La. Bio

Position: Wide Receiver Previous College: None Projection: Starter Status: On Scholarship

Torell Miller (b. Nov. 13, 1990), despite making an early splash in 2009 as a true freshman safety, failed to gain much traction as a player until he redshirted and converted to wide receiver. But he still hasn't truly excelled.

Flash back to summer 2009. Word was leaking out of summer camp that two players were causing the offense all kinds of headaches. One of them, "Rat," you know better as David Garrett. The other was "Toe" — Torell Miller.

Miller played in four games that season, collecting four tackles and an interception, but the coaches elected in the offseason to move him to wide receiver and redshirt him so he could spend 2010 learning the position.

Miller's playing time was not markedly improved in 2011, although he did get out there a little in five-wide sets.

In six games, he had four catches for 54 yards with a long of 21 yards. It was more of the same in 2012, with four more catches for 40 yards and a touchdown. Miller still should be at the ready, though, if only for quality depth.

With the graduation of Chris Harper, this team lacks an experienced, tall wide receiver. Tyler Lockett and Tramaine Thompson are fast and skilled, but short. Deante Burton and Kyle Klein are big and rangy, but young.

If he plays his cards right in practice and the early games, Miller could step into Harper's role. But he can't drop passes like he did against Texas in 2011. He has to be the clutch guy who converted a third down at Oklahoma.

The spring game was an encouraging early sign: Miller was explosive, with five catches for a whopping 108 yards and two touchdowns, one each from Daniel Sams and Jake Waters.