Tad Miller (’03) has hired an agent and is in Westlake, California, preparing for his audition with the National Football League. If his Pro Day performance goes according to plan he will be in an NFL team training camp following his July 5 wedding. The dependable warrior, who started 50 consecutive games at left guard for Boise State, is taking it in typical Tad style: calm, confident, and quietly optimistic of what’s ahead.

“I am thankful to God for the opportunities I’ve had in football at BK and Boise State, and I hope to have more chances in the future,” said Miller, who was recently named second-team All-Western Athletic Conference and selected for the Denny Erickson Award, which is given to BSU’s most inspirational player. “I’ve been lucky. It’s been a lot of work, but I have been lucky and am thankful.”

Miller has retained the services of Eric Weisel, an attorney and sports agent based in Sacramento. Weisel, a partner in the firm Matheny Sears Linkert & Jaime, was attracted to Tad’s blue collar work ethic and believes he can help him reach the next level. “It’s a good fit,” says Miller. “He’s focused on a handful of clients he believes in.”

Photo by Steve Conner, SteveConnerPhotography.com

With Weisel’s help Tad is moving to Westlake for the remainder of January and all of February to prepare for the BSU Pro Day to be held in Boise in early March. Pro Day workouts are events held on campus to give scouts and NFL personnel managers an opportunity to review prospective draft prospects in a setting other than the NFL Combine. Tad’s “home away from home” in California will be the state of the art Proactive Sports Performance Center, where he’ll be in the NFL Combine Training Program under the guidance of accomplished strength and conditioning mentor Ryan Capretta.

“It will involve speed, agility and strength plus nutrition and flexibility, the works. It’s all about performing on team day and this is the place to get ready,” said Tad, who recently had arthroscopic surgery to remove meniscus from his right knee, which was injured in the Hawaii game. The medial collateral and anterior cruciate ligaments did not require surgical repair, according to Tad.

The 6-foot 4-inch Miller, who has a goal weight of 305 pounds, hopes to get his 40-yard dash time down “to the 5.3 or 5.4 range” and is shooting for 30 reps on the 225-pound bench press. “If I do well it gives me a better chance to be drafted, that’s the goal,” said Miller, who will return to California to train leading up to the NFL Draft on April 26-27. He is projected by various websites as a 5th or 6th round pick.

Another date circled on the calendar is Saturday, July 5, when Tad will marry longtime girlfriend Gloria Ho. Originally from Portland, Gloria is a graduate of Baker City High and currently a student at BSU. Tad’s best man is longtime friend and former BK (and Vandal!) linebacker Matt Whipps (’03), and his lead usher is BSU teammate Andrew Woodruff.
“I proposed to her this summer when we were in Puerto Vallarta. I did it at a restaurant. And no, there weren’t any TV cameras,” said Tad.

Gloria and Tad in Mexico last summer - Photo courtesy of the Miller family

The cameras were everywhere when Tad lined up for the two point conversion in overtime against Oklahoma in the 2007 Fiesta Bowl. His responsibility on the now famous “statue left” was to eliminate the biggest Oklahoma Sooner threat – the defensive tackle on Tad’s outside shoulder. Watch #66 at left guard (link to You Tube video). While all eyes followed the ball, Tad quickly maneuvered his man out of the play, shielding him to the inside and creating an easy run into the end zone for the ball carrier. “I was just thinking ‘don’t mess up, don’t be the chump.’ Once I had him walled off I knew we won,” said Tad. “The atmosphere was absolutely amazing and no one will ever forget that game. It was incredible to be part of that.”

Other top memories for Miller include the TD pass reception and end zone celebration of fellow lineman Ryan Clady, “even though it was called back it was awesome.” He also cherishes the battles against rival Idaho and all the bowl games. “BSU was a great experience and I am thankful I got to play as much as I did,” he said. “Everything was first class, from the team and coaches to trainers and Idaho Sports Medicine Institute that kept us playing.” Miller, who will soon earn his bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice, mentioned his exercise physiologist, Jim Moore, as one of the keys to his streak of 50 straight starts for the Broncos.

“I love the game within the game, the man to man battle in the trenches,” says Miller. “It’s the hand to hand combat deep inside the overall game with things going on all around you and the arena full of fans. I think that is the most fun you can have in football is being part of the front line in the trench.”

Tad committed to BSU during his senior year at BK after giving strong consideration to the Air Force Academy. Then head coach Dan Hawkins agreed to forego a grayshirt year in exchange for Miller’s commitment, and Tad responded by hitting the weight room. Hard. With added weight and strength, Miller grabbed the starting left guard position in August of 2004 and never let go.

Current BK Head Coach Jack Parker was the O-Line and D-Line coach at Bishop Kelly during Tad’s time in the program. Miller points to Parker as one of the reasons he was ready for his college career.

“Coach Parker is immensely knowledgeable about technique and preparation and taught me the tenacity needed to be successful. He’s a great teacher and never made it easy,” said Miller, adding that his father, Dan Miller, and former BK Head Coach Tim Brennan also were major influences. “They are intense people and only accept striving for the best. That helped a lot.”
When asked about prep football memories, Miller recalled a game from his sophomore season against Centennial. “We weren’t supposed to even be in it, they were a great team but we fought them in the rain and almost pulled it off,” he recalls of the 28-14 loss. He also remembers his final game, a one point playoff loss to Madison. In three years on the BK varsity, Miller was part of 25 victories – so why recall the losses?

Tad with his father Dan Miller on Senior Day  (photo by Doug Shaver, ShaverGraphics)

“I think the losses definitely burn into you a lot longer and stronger, especially at Bishop Kelly and Boise State when you win all the time,” said Miller, who was 25-8 at BK and 43-8 at BSU. “That’s why you remember them, because they were not common or normal at all.”

To Tad Miller, uncommon success has become his normal. That does not surprise Parker.

“Tad has always had that quiet intensity, a calm exterior but boiling desire inside that is needed to push yourself to the highest level,” said Parker, who coached dozens of former collegiate linemen as well as past NFL players Ron Hadley (49ers) and Steve Hoyem (Bills). “Once Tad sets a goal I would never bet against him.”

Tweet