He had to grow into his body and battle through some injuries, but Christian Miller has put together his best season at outside linebacker for the University of Alabama.
The 6-foot-3, 244-pounder is among the team leaders in tackles for loss (10.5, third) and sacks (7.5, third), while leading the group in quarterback pressures with 12 and having 35 tackles.
RELATED: Alabama DE Isaiah Buggs accepts invitation to 70th annual Reese’s Senior Bowl
Hailing from South Carolina, the former five-star has the Crimson Tide ranked fourth in the nation for scoring defense (14.8 ppg), 10th in total defense (295.4 ypg), seventh in sacks (42) and eighth in third down efficiency defense (30.9 percent conversion rate). Prior its matchups against Citadel and Auburn, Miller and Alabama rendered both LSU and Mississippi State scoreless.
He becomes the second Tide player this season to accept an invitation to the Reese’s Senior Bowl, pairing him with defensive end Isaiah Buggs.
LB Christian Miller from @AlabamaFTBL has officially accepted his invitation to the 70th Reese’s Senior Bowl! #SeniorBowl #CompeteAndConnect #NFLTraditionInMobile @christianmillr pic.twitter.com/Ijn6a1vT8K
— Reese’s Senior Bowl (@seniorbowl) December 12, 2018
Despite a triceps injury limiting Miller to four games in 2017, he has totaled 57 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, 10.5 sacks and 16 quarterback pressures from 2014 to this point. He anticipates using the senior bowl to catapult him higher on draft boards at outside linebacker. For now, he concentrates on helping the Tide repeat as national champions of the College Football Playoff.
Alabama faces Oklahoma on Saturday, Dec. 29 in Miami, Fla.
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Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
