ROCKINGHAM — A lot of good things have happened for Dante Miller over the last two months.
The rising senior, who plays running back for the Richmond Senior football team, recently picked up his first three scholarship offers from Wofford College, Gardner-Webb University and the U.S. Naval Academy.
Wofford extended its offer late last month, Gardner-Webb made the decision last week and Navy snuck into the picture a few days ago.
“It felt pretty good but my mom always told me to stay humble. So as long as I stay humble, hopefully more will come,” Miller said.
When he attended the Eastern Alamance Combine in late April, Miller showcased his speed by posting a time of 4.25 in the 40-yard dash — one of the fastest times at the event.
He was also a member of the boys 4×100 relay team that finished first at last month’s Southeastern Conference championship track and field meet. Miller placed third in the 100-meter dash at the meet with a time of 11.05.
“I believe the conditioning from track, and just the understanding that I’ve got to keep working hard, should help in the spring,” Miller added. “Hopefully I can just show everybody what to do on and off the field. And bring that leadership.”
Speed isn’t Miller’s only asset, however.
Richmond’s elusive running back has a 4.5 weighted GPA at the moment. That kind of intelligence allows Miller to quickly find the open hole and make plays.
Not much of that has been on display during the first week of spring practice, as a lot of the players’ time have been spent in individual drills, but the Raiders will need his mental edge and playmaking ability come this fall.
Miller’s one of the few seniors who are returning on the offensive side of the ball.
“He’s a super intelligent young man. He brings that expectation and a lot of them know that’s one of the reasons he’s getting scholarship offers,” head football coach Bryan Till explained. “It lets our younger, and older, guys know that if they want those same opportunities, those are the things they have to do.”
Miller was the backup to Damontre Bennett in the backfield last season, ending the year with with 55 carries, 294 yards and five touchdowns. One of his best moments came in the final minute of the game versus Pinecrest when he returned a kickoff 96 yards for the game-winning score.
He’s expected to be the team’s featured back this season and is being called on to lead by example.
With the first week of spring practice coming to an end, Till is looking for Miller to emerge as one of the guys who leaves it all on the field each time out. If the rising senior can finish first every time the team runs — or exert the most energy when the Raiders end practice with up-downs — Till wants him to do so.
Getting him into that mindset now will only be beneficial, Till believes, as it will more than likely carry over to the team’s summer practices and the season, which kicks off at Reagan High School on Friday, August 18.
“That’s what we’re looking for from him. If he does those kinds of things…that’s going to help the other guys raise their level (of play),” Till said. “The game stuff will take care of itself.”
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Richmond Senior’s Dante Miller picked up his third scholarship offer, from Navy, on Tuesday. The rising senior was offered by Gardner Webb last week and Wofford last month. Miller finished his junior season with 55 carries, 294 yards and five touchdowns.