CFL Scouts Want to Look at Mike Miller
Riverview native will attend evaluation camp March 4-6 in Toronto

By Dwayne Tingley
Published in the Times-Transcript Tuesday February 22, 2011
Appeared on Page C1

WOLFVILLE, N.S. - Mike Miller was concerned that CFL scouts had forgotten about him.

Not a chance.

The 21-year-old Riverview native played just half a season with the Acadia Axemen of the Atlantic University Sport football conference after suffering a major ankle injury in training camp.

However, he was impressive enough in three regular season games and two more in the playoffs to catch the attention of CFL scouts. He's one of 45 Canadian university players who have been invited to a CFL evaluation camp March 4-6 in Toronto.

"I was pretty excited when I found out about it," Miller said last night. "I didn't think I'd have a chance after missing so much time last year.

"I think they're basing it on the year I had in 2009. That was a better year. I'm very happy to get a chance to show what I can do. My ankle is almost back to 100 per cent and I'm looking forward to the camp."

Miller, who graduated from Riverview High School in 2007, recorded 39 solo tackles and assisted on 12 others with the Axemen in 2009.

Last season, Miller tore ligaments and sustained chipped bones in his left ankle just before the regular season began. However, the six-foot-one, 208-pound defensive end recovered to pick up eight solos and 16 assists in five games.

"I had it taped up as much as possible," he said. "I wasn't 100 per cent, but I was good enough to play. It's a lot stronger now."

Axemen head coach Jeff Cummins expects Miller to turn heads at the CFL evaluation camp.

"Mike is a tremendous player who works hard to improve all the time," Cummins said. "He is extremely physical and hits like a truck.

"I believe Mike has a great chance to play at the next level, first a special teamer then move into a home as an outside linebacker. Mike leads by example and guys follow."

Miller, who was selected to play in the East-West Bowl in 2009 at the University of Western Ontario, has been working on his strength and agility in preparation for the camp.

"My first goal is to get drafted by a CFL team," he said. "If I don't get drafted, I would like to get noticed then get a tryout. I'll give it everything I have."

CFL commissioner Mark Cohan called the camp "an enormously important weekend" for the young players and the league.

Among the others invited to the camp are: Mount Allison Mounties defensive back Callan Exeter, Saint Mary's Huskies linebacker Jeffrey Hecht, Huskies defensive lineman Chris Hodgson, of Fredericton, St. Francis Xavier X-Men linebacker Henoc Muamba and Fredericton native Ben Thompson, a defensive lineman with the McGill Redmen.