Rutgers football DB aiming to be next in Greg Schiano's NFL pipeline

PISCATAWAY – Greg Schiano developed a strong relationship with Cam Miller when the Rutgers football coach recruited the defensive back from Florida with the hopes Miller would pick the Scarlet Knights .

Miller ultimately decided to pick another Big Ten team, committing to Penn State and spending three seasons with the Nittany Lions .

But when Miller wanted a change of scenery ? He knew where to go.

“I knew the experience he had in the NFL, I knew the lineage of guys he coached that were successful there,” Miller said. “Me and Coach had a strong relationship coming out of high school because he recruited me before I went to Penn State. That’s why I came here. I had full trust in him.”

So Miller transferred to Rutgers, the chance to not only stay in the Big Ten but boost his NFL draft stock.

Schiano and Miller are both confident he accomplished the latter.

The 6-foot, 192-pound Miller had an impressive showing at Rutgers’ Pro Day on March 11 and is hoping to hear his name called during next month’s draft.

There’s a long lineage of defensive backs who have played for Schiano at Rutgers and have gone one to carve out solid pro careers.

Miller’s hoping to be the next.

“I feel like it went really well,” Miller said of his Pro Day performance. “I feel like I showed what I needed to show out here. But the job’s not finished. The work is just beginning.”

Miller showcased his athleticism with a 40½” vertical jump and a 4.48 40-yard dash.

Schiano was in the Hale Center meeting with players, but received Pro Day test results on his phone.

Miller’s results stood out.

In 12 games (all starts) last season, Miller led the team with seven passes defensed (one interception, six pass breakups). He had 47 tackles (2.5 for loss) with one sack. He also made an impact on special teams with one touchdown.

It’s not hard to wonder why Schiano wonders what might’ve been had Miller been at Rutgers for longer.

“My only wish is that I had four years with him,” Schiano said. “We only got one year with him. We were investigating maybe could we get another but it just didn’t work out. I would’ve loved to have coached him for four years. Because the improvement he made in whatever it was, 10 months. Man alive, if we could’ve had four years, it would’ve been fun.”

But Schiano didn’t get the chance, and now he’s hoping to be watching Miller on Sundays in the not-to-distant future.

Schiano said Miller’s skillset translates “very well” to the NFL.

Miller took a week off after the season before jumping back into training down in Florida, where he's from. He said working his upper-body strength and acceleration have been two of his top priorities to improve before the draft.

His season with the Scarlet Knights proved to be beneficial.

“That year, I learned so much,” Miller said. “Just the game of football, how to be a pro in and out of the building. That year really helped me moving forward.”

There’s a long list of NFL-caliber defensive backs Rutgers and Schiano have produced.

Miller has a chance to join them.

After four years playing at a high level, Miller believes he’s well prepared.

“It definitely prepared me a lot, playing in the Big Ten, one of the toughest conferences,” Miller said. “You’ve got to be on you’re A game every week, and that’s the same thing in the NFL. So I feel confident.”

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Rutgers football DB Cam Miller hoping to be picked in NFL Draft