Recruiting Report: Owen Miller (Aitkin-2021)

Around 2 hours North of Minneapolis, up US-169 N, in the sleepy town of Aitkin, athlete Owen Miller was on track to put up the Northeast-Blue subdistrict’s best statistical season of any of its football players in 2019 before a catastrophic fibula fracture ended his regular season before week 4. Amazingly, the Cloquet native and future Aitkin Gobbler graduate Miller returned for Aitkin’s playoff run and balled out on a fractured leg under the impression it was only a muscle tear. Talk about toughness, right? That’s the kind of player every coach dreams about having on their squad. When you combine this grit with Miller’s impressive instincts, speed, and athleticism, and you got the makings of a dang fine football player. [caption id="attachment_17610" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Taking off.[/caption] The current junior would make an exciting and notable addition to a college program’s recruiting class next season, and he was kind enough to give Northstar Football News some of his time to talk about his and Aitkin’s 2019 season that unfortunately involved tragedy, some college’s he’s interested in playing at, the Gobbler’s crazy last game, and more! I hope you enjoy. <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2CTnN9">Junior Season 5 Games</a> NFN: Hello and thank you for your time, Owen. Please begin by telling NFN a little bit about yourself, when you started playing football & what you love about the game, and any relevant measurables and stats. Miller: “I was born in Cloquet, Minnesota but I grew up in Aitkin my entire life. I have been playing football for as long as I can remember. It really started when I was 4 years old and I was watching the Indianapolis Colts in the Super Bowl. My favorite color was blue as a 4-year old so they became my favorite team. As I grew up I was obsessed with Peyton Manning, Marvin Harrison, Reggie Wayne, and Joseph Addai. Along with watching those guys all the time my brother, my dad, and I played football in the backyard for hours and hours every week. Me vs. my brother and my dad as the QB. I also play hockey and baseball and spend all my money and shoes. I am 5'10" 175 pounds. I run a 4.83 forty which my dad and I have been working on every morning in the off season. My max bench is 240, max squat is 330, and max power clean is 230. This past season I fractured my fibula right before week 4. I was out the rest of the season until playoffs and we all thought it was a torn calf muscle. I played the last 2 playoff games on the broken leg because I still thought it was just muscle. My stats for this season in 5 games were: 65 carries, 635 yards, 7 td's/ 5 receptions, 67 yards/ 12 tackles 2 int's/ 2 throws for 49 yards and 2 touchdowns.” NFN: Oh my lord, that’s nuts! Can’t say I’ve ever heard of someone playing through that. Now get into your 2018 sophomore season. What were some highlights and lowlights and how was your season personally? Also, how was the offseason following that year and what do you like about the Aitkin program? Miller: “The 2018 season was a lot of fun for me because I got to play with my brother. He was the starting QB and i was the starting WR. We had a lot success that year but also lost a few games that maybe we shouldn't have. We lost against our rivals Crosby-Ironton after a 3-0 start. That gave us a kick to the mouth and gave us a gut check. We made it to the second round of playoffs and lost to Royalton for the second straight year. That was really tough. That year I had 16 carries for 126 yards and a touchdown and also 20 receptions for 337 yards and 5 touchdowns. [caption id="attachment_17612" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Get. Off. Me.[/caption] I also had 18 tackles and an interception. After the 2018 season the entire community doubted us. We lost over 10 seniors after 2018 and we didn't have very much experience. During the offseason there is a program in summer that allows athletes and students to come in and lift and work on speed in the mornings. I saw almost every football player there that summer. I could tell we were all ready to prove people wrong. What I love about the Aitkin program is the hard work and the heart we have. We work very hard to better ourselves everyday at practice but also outside of football as well. The other part is the heart we have. We all love the game and we all love each other which really brings a team together.” NFN: That’s great to hear. How about 2019? Give us some detail in the season, including the regular season and your section win vs. Greenway/Nashwauk-Keewatin and that tough section L against Esko. Miller: “The first 3 games went by really well and we were on a roll. We had outscored our opponents 110-0. We played Duluth Denfeld and beat them 52-0. We played Greenway and beat them 28-0 and played Virginia and beat them 30-0. My biggest game was versus Virginia where I had 203 yards rushing 2 touchdowns and 3 catches for 23 yards. When I injured my leg it was a shock to everyone. The next 3 games went by like a blur for me because all I wanted was to get back on the field. My fourth game back I dressed but I couldn't play. There was no way. I was in so much pain. This was still a game I will remember forever. Jackson Pfister passed away that night on our field due to a cardiac problem. It was a terrible night and football did not even matter. The next game was against Mora a top-5 team in the state and our boys played their best football I have ever seen. I was so proud of everyone and that win gave us a bye for the first round of playoffs. [caption id="attachment_17613" align="aligncenter" width="300"] #11[/caption] The Greenway game at home was a fun game. It was my first game back(little did I know my leg was still broken) and we were very confident. We played great the first half and we were up by a good amount. The second half was a different story. As the clock ticked I think we started to play defensive and just wanted to chew clock and prevent big plays to get by with the game. That strategy was the worst thing we could have one as Greenway took advantage of that and started to put points up on the board. It got way to close at the end but we pulled through with a 22-20 victory and were headed to the section finals for the first time in over 25 years. The Esko game sadly was the last of the season but one of the most fun games I’ve ever played. It went back and forth like a ping pong match and playing on that UMD field was an amazing experience. The game came down to the last minute as we failed to convert on a 4th down and they got the ball back. They took a few knees and the game was over. That night I accounted for 3 touchdowns and 160 yards all on a leg I could barely walk on.” NFN: That’s a heckuva emotional season, man. Glad you grinded through. Last but not least, how has the recruitment process been for you? What are some teams you’re interested in, who have you been in contact with, and how does living in a small town like Aitkin affect the process? Also, what can you add to a college football program? Miller: “I have been interested in UMD, Concordia St. Paul, St. Johns, St. Thomas, Bethel, and many more. Any school that might be interested in me I will give them interest as well. I am considering all levels and am exploring all options. I have a few campus visits scheduled at UMD, St. Johns, and St. Thomas along with some junior day invites from those same schools and a few more. I have been to multiple UMD camps and Concordia St. Paul as well. I also love to attend Jeff Trickey camps. The recruiting process is a little tough just because of where I live. Aitkin is a tiny little town and I would say anyone from a small town has harder work to get themselves noticed. That is my main goal this offseason is to get myself out there. As a college football player I know I have what it takes. I would bring hard work, leadership, and a fun personality to a team. As far as a football player I am very quick, I have good hands, I am very powerful and I am very knowledgable about the game.” I hope this article serves to grant Miller some of that exposure that the small town kids may miss out on, and I’m looking forward to seeing what he can do as a Gobbler in 2020. Thanks and good luck, Owen!