Miller High Life: Why Lamar Miller Is Poised to Be an NFL Superstar

Edgerrin James, Clinton Portis, Willis McGahee and Frank Gore...the list of Pro Bowl RBs that the University of Miami has produced in just the last 13 years is nothing short of amazing. Most schools haven't produced that many in their lifetimes. And yet, it's becoming more and more apparent that there may be a fifth star to join their ranks: Lamar Miller.

Lamar Miller has been nothing short of legendary through his first five games of 2011. He's become the first player in Miami history to rush for 100-plus yards in the first five games of the season, and only the fourth to have a streak of at least that length, joining three of the four aforementioned stars (Frank Gore being the one exception).

He is the only RB in the entire FBS to have a carry of 35-plus yards in every one of his games so far this season. His five rushing TDs, though not amazing, are higher than any Miami RBs season total between 2006 and 2008.

He's averaging an insane 7.2 YPC, second highest in the FBS amongst RBs with 75-plus carries, behind only reigning Doak Walker Award winner, LaMichael James. When trying to be an elite RB, that's good company to be in.

If he keeps up his current pace, he'll set the school single-season rushing yards record with 1,760 yards, surpassing Willis McGahee's 1,753 set back in 2002.

But a successful college career doesn't always translate to a successful pro career, so the stats aren't what matter the most. But even then, Miller already looks like possibly the most pro-ready RB in all of college football.

Lamar Miller has shown the potential to be a great tailback in the NFL whenever he comes out (Miami fans are hoping it isn't this coming April). I'm going to make a bold prediction here: Lamar Miller will be the greatest RB in NFL history to ever come out of Miami, over the current title holder, Edgerrin James. Here are a few reasons why:

1. Size

Lamar Miller is 5'11" and 212 lbs. This is an almost perfect size for an NFL tailback. His height is the same as Titans RB Chris Johnson and his weight is just a hair shy of Vikings RB Adrian Peterson, the two guys commonly considered the two best backs in the NFL at the present.

In fact, his size is nearly identical to that of Hall of Fame RB Marshall Faulk. Size is a huge factor in the NFL. If you want to be a speedy, agile back, you have to be somewhat short (check) and light enough to be agile, but thick enough to be durable (check). Speaking of Faulk, another thing Miller has in common with the Hall of Famer is... 

2. Speed/Elusiveness

Miller is a flat out speed demon. If you give him open field, he WILL score, there is no doubt about it. Miller has ran the 40 yard dash as quickly as 4.32 seconds, which is right up there with the fastest RBs in college football.

Marshall Faulk only ran a 4.35 at his combine. If you have Faulk's exact size, but you're also faster, that means the potential for success is sky high.

And his elusiveness? Watch his game against Virginia Tech, particularly the play from his own 10-yard line, where he ran about 50 yards in just the backfield before finding open room and breaking open a 37 yard gain. This is a VT squad that came into the game allowing only about 60 rushing yards per match, and Miller put on a clinic, going for 166 yards and a rushing TD (as well as a receiving TD).

He is next to impossible to bring down on the first tackle attempt, and if you don't wrap him up properly, he's gonna find himself in the endzone, while you find yourself with egg on your face.

3. Consistency

It's not just that Miller is a big play threat. It's that big plays aren't even really big plays for him, because he's always pulling them off.

He has set a Miami record with five straight 100 yard rushing games to open the season, and is one of only four Miami RBs to ever have any streak that long (alongside James, Portis and McGahee). He has had 100-plus yards rushing in seven of his last nine regular season games.

Miami's schedule doesn't get any harder, as two of the best defenses they face all season, Ohio State and VT, are in their rearview mirrors (interestingly, Miller's best two games this season have come against those two teams).

4. Experience in a pro-style offense

It's natural to expect guys from schools like Oregon and Georgia Tech who run it almost exclusively to pick up tons of yards. Would LaMichael James find as much success on a more balanced team like Miami?

Miller has experience playing for the sorts of offenses that play on Sundays, and NFL scouts love that. Need proof? Despite finishing last year 7-6, Miami produced the second most draft picks in the 2011 draft.

He'll be able to come onto an NFL squad and contribute immediately, requiring far less time to master the scheme than a guy like LaMichael James. That'll lead to early success, which in turn will lead to long-term success.

5. A healthy dose of swagger

Swagger. You may love it, or you may hate it, but you have to admit that just the right amount can make a player far better than his body or skills should allow.

Would the Miami teams of the late 80s and early 90s be nearly as successful if Jimmy Johnson and Dennis Erickson didn't turn a blind eye to their antics? You have to want to not just win, but wipe the floor with the opposing squad, and I see a glimmer of that in Lamar Miller.

He isn't egotistical to the levels of divas like TO and Chad Ochocinco, but it's clear he has a ton of confidence in himself and incredibly high standards that he will not allow himself to fall short of. He is always one of the most energetic players on the field when he's playing, and is full of energy as well on the sidelines as he roots on his team.

When all is said and done, Lamar Miller could walk out of Miami as the greatest RB to ever grace Coral Gables, which is amazing considering some of the guys who have been there in the past.

I also believe he will carry that success with him to the NFL. I believe his skills, stats and potential will lead to him being the first tailback selected in this upcoming NFL Draft, some time in the mid-to-late first round.

A good team that could use a feature back, such as New England, Green Bay, Tampa Bay or Dallas, will garner the rights to the best back in NFL history to ever come out of the University of Miami.

And once he does, NFL Sundays will become Miller Time.