Interview: All-Around 2016 Oklahoma ATH/LB Lon’Trelle Miller Looking for All-Around Best Fit at the Next Level

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

Everyone has a different story in life no matter how similarly related the path. On the surface, Lon’Trelle “Trey” Miller is much like a lot of Class of 2016 recruits – talented, athletic, a playmaker, and a Division-I talent who is ready to make his mark on the collegiate gridirons. Unlike many others, Miller has grown up in a hurry and has to make decisions not just based on what is best for himself, but what is best for his family including his three-year-old daughter Rhianna.

Miller has been an all-out beast for Edison High School the last two years, on both sides of the ball playing running back and linebacker. The next level looks for the 6’1”, 215 pound, athlete have been primarily at linebacker where he has tallied 176 tackles, 23 sacks, 98 tackles for a loss, and one interception covering his junior and senior campaigns.

Colleges have responded in kind with teams like Maryland, Virginia Tech, Central Arkansas, Louisiana Tech, Weber State, Mississippi Valley State, Maine, and Memphis all offering. Teams like Arkansas, Miami, Houston, Kansas State, Louisiana-Monroe, Missouri, and Oklahoma State have expressed interest and in-home powerhouse Oklahoma has offered a preferred walk-on position.

In more ways than one, Miller is not your average high school recruit. There is an excited but adult tone when he speaks. Quickly, one picks up on his insightfulness to life in general and his love for his daughter. The recruiting process is tough enough as is, but like any good father, Miller is seeking the best opportunity out there not only for his collegiate career but for his family as well.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down with Miller to go over his senior season and received a recruiting news update on offers and visits.

Interview

Trey, the last two years have been great for you on the field. What do you feel are your strengths on the field at linebacker?

“My No. 1 strength is my pass rushing ability. My footwork is key and I’m always keeping my head up watching the play. I’d say that is my main strength. I feel like that is what you need to be a great linebacker at the next level. I’m a good run stopper. Honestly, I struggle a little at man coverage, like every other linebacker out there. I’m an average man-to-man coverage person but I excel at everything else.”

I know the Eagles did not win the championship this year going 5-6 so the team goal was not met, but looking back, are you pleased with the way you played during your senior year?

“To an extent. I feel like I could have done more. It is what it is. It’s about the team and football is a team effort. I’m not going to blame anyone. The ultimate goal was to win a championship. I feel like we could have done more and I could have done more.”

From your junior year to your senior year, what was the biggest leaps or progression you made on the field at linebacker?

“I feel like in the offseason I got bigger, stronger, and faster. My junior year I ran a 4.8 and was benching 205 pounds. I upped my game. I got faster and my pass rushing skills got better. I got better at stopping the run. Everything got upgraded. I feel like I gained there. Other than that, a lot of teams game planned against me during my senior year. I feel like I had a better junior year numbers wise. My junior year I was going up against one tackle but during my senior year I had two guys blocking me, an offensive tackle with a running back, situations like that. It was a challenge during my senior year.”

What are you doing right now in your offseason workouts to better prepare yourself for your freshman season?

“The main thing for me is to get stronger, physically and mentally. I want to have a great attitude when I report. I want to take the same attitude I had in high school but just take everything up a notch. I’m working on getting bigger, faster, increasing my running speed, and I’m doing agility drills to get ready for the next level.”

You have some great offers on the table and some schools that have shown interest in you. Which schools are pushing the hardest for your commitment right now?

“Honestly, Virginia Tech is pushing hard. They are really trying to get me. I have a little girl at home (Rhianna) who is three-years-old. I really don’t want to go too far away from her. Coach (Justin) Fuente offered me when he was at Memphis. He offered me since he got to V-Tech. I have a lot of great D-II schools recruiting me too. I’m looking that route, maybe JUCO too. I have a preferred walk-on at OU (Oklahoma). I want to make the right decision, it’ll affect the rest of my life. This is the biggest decision I’ll have to make.”

Which schools have you visited so far?

“I’ve visited four schools: NSU (Northeast State; Tahlequah, OK), Emporia State (Emporia, KS), Fort Hayes (Fort Hayes, KS), and I’m flying out to Lindenwood (St. Charles, MO) Wednesday night. I did not get to go on an official to OU. I missed that one. I’ve been busy throughout the recruiting process.

A lot of people don’t understand my story. I’m not trying to go too far away from my daughter. The league (NFL) finds everyone in this day and age no matter where you are. It would be nice to play D-I, but I only want to go D-I if it is not too far away. A lot of people will not understand my commitment if I go D-II.”

How did your visit to Emporia go for you?

“It went well. I felt welcomed. It felt like a winning program there. Coach (Garin) Higgins (head coach), Coach (Bryan) Nardo, he’s also the linebackers coach and co-defensive coordinator, right when I walked in they made me feel like I belonged there. They welcomed me with open arms. They have great facilities and they were great with my daughter. They even have a daycare there. The coaches hold kids in their hands while practice is going on. They do not degrade you because you have a family. I liked that a lot.”

How did your visit to NSU go?

“That trip went well. That was my first official visit that I went on. They welcomed me with open arms as well. They have a young staff and a lot of great coaches. Their linebackers coach, Coach (Will) Skeans, loves me and I love him. They have a new turf on the field. The players seemed locked in and wanting to win. They are rebuilding the program and getting stronger. They’re going to have a winning program in the next few years.”

Do you have a timeline on when you want to commit?

“I plan on committing on Saturday.”

Oh wow. How are you going to do your commitment?

“I’m going on a local radio station, 97.1, to do my announcement. They are the Oklahoma Sooners press radio station.”

Are you going to do any sort of showmanship with your announcement or come right out and say it?

“I’m just going to come out and say it. I’m going to thank everyone for helping me through the process. I’m going to thank all of the coaches that have recruited me and all of my coaches that were with me last year. Without them I would not be here. My parents too. Just giving thanks to everyone. It’s all about thanking everyone and thanking God, without him nothing will happen.”

Do you have a school in mind already?

“After my Wednesday visit I’ll have a better idea. It’s coming down to it. I have my Top 5 schools; Emporia, V-Tech, NSU, Lindenwood, and OU, or maybe I’ll go the JUCO route. That’s what I feel like is the best. I had to throw out Maryland, too far for my daughter.”

Trey, thanks for your time today and good luck with your visit on Wednesday.

“Thank you.”

Photo credit: Miller family; Trey at Emporia State.

Photo credit: Miller family; Trey at NSU.