BROOKINGS After spending the first two years at South Dakota State playing guard, Gus Miller made his first start at center in September of 2022. Playing in front of one of college footballs toughest environments, bad snaps and mental errors across the offensive line made SDSUs 7-3 loss to Iowa a game they would rather forget.
But it wouldnt be the end of the 605 Hogs. Miller was guided by veterans Mason McCormick and Garret Greenfield who took Miller under their wing. With new pieces John OBrian and Evan Beerntsen also adapting to new roles, the offensive line came together and fueled back-to-back national championships that included a 29-game winning streak.
McCormick, Greenfield and OBrian have since departed and Miller is now the elder statesman of the offensive line coming into this season. Its a role that Miller had learned from over his four seasons at SDSU but hes ready to provide the same leadership to a new generation of hogs.
Millers story began way before he cracked the starting lineup. A Brookings native, Miller followed his brother Eddies footsteps to becoming a Jackrabbit. His first two years were filled with lessons from the veterans along the offensive line and Miller credits them for preparing him for life playing college football.
We had a lot of those senior guys like Wes Genant, Eagan Lickiss, and my older brother, Eddie, Miller recalled. We had a lot of those guys teaching us, telling us everything they know and giving us anything that we could use. They just kind of used that knowledge to elevate the younger guys, teach them what weve learned in the past couple of years and just made sure we didnt make the same mistakes that they did.
Miller bided his time through the 2020 fall season but played in 15 games while rotating along the interior of the offensive line in 2021. Offensive line coach Ryan Olson decided to move Miller to center when he moved into the role in 2022 and Miller went on to start in 15 games en route to the national championship.
Hes just so gifted athletically, hes in that upper echelon of guys that Ive ever coached, Olson said of the decision to move Miller to center. Just in terms of movement skills and explosiveness and hes a really gifted athlete.
Millers pass-blocking has always been a strength. According to Pro Football Focus Miller allowed just a 2.7 percent pressure rate in 796 pass-blocking snaps over his first two seasonsand cut his penalties from nine in his first season as a starter to two last season.
But the other area of Millers game that has improved is his run blocking, posting a 65.1 run-blocking grade in his first year as a starter and jumping to 76.5 last season.
Millers growth helped the Jacks win another national championship and his personal performance was awarded with the 2023 Rimington Award, which is given to the best center at each level of college football.
Miller said he was surprised to win the award especially when SDSU presented it as a Christmas gift from Santa Claus but validation for the work that put in from moving from guard to center.
Ill never forget that moment, Miller said. The amount of support I had that whole year from not only just the offensive guys but the defensive guys were telling me every week that I was the best center. I just kind of shrugged it off and said Its probably not me. I dont think so. Im just trying to be me right now. So when I wonit was a great moment for me. Theres no way I could have done it without the support that I had.
While Miller aims to continue his work, this year has an added wrinkle. McCormick and Greenfield have moved on to the NFL and OBrian departed via graduation. Beernsten returns at right guard and Miller returns at center. Still, a veteran group that includes fellow senior Ethan Vibert will assume the leadership role that the departures have left behind.
I think when you have a guy like Mason aroundhes a very vocal leader and hes got kind of a dominant, commanding personality, Olson said. Theres not a lot of room left for other guys to hold them in. Between him and Garret, we didnt really have a need for anybody else to command that way. So you kind of go through the spring with that void and I think these guys are finding their voice and learning when certain things need to be said and how to say them.
Olson also emphasized that the current seniors need to build connections with some of the teammates coming up.
If they dont think you have their best interests in mindyoure probably not going to believe what youre telling them, Olson said. I think between him, Evan and Ethan, all three of those guys in the middle are doing a good job grabbing the other guys and bringing them with them and thats exciting to see.
For Miller, that process is in full swing. When he received the Remington Award last winter, his teammates dogpiled on top of him to celebrate. But its also expanded to his play on the field.
While McCormick handled most of the protections and adjustments, Miller has slid into that role during fall camp.
Whats been awesome is that any time something new goes in, hes picking up on stuff, Olson said. Thats probably been the biggest area of growth from as a young player to now. When he was playing right guard in 2021, he didnt have to move protections or make IDs. Hes just out there playing really, really hard. So now that hes growing into that role and running the show and thats really, really impressive.
Even in his third year as a center, Miller continues to adapt to his new role on and off the field. With a new generation of Hogs looking up to him, Miller is hoping some of the wisdom he gained beginning with that first year in Iowa City.
That first year we played Iowa, it was just a struggle for the offensive line, Miller recalled. I dont want that to happen again. Im just trying to make sure everybodys staying cool, calm and collected and everybody is being a team. Ive just been trying to be the best player I can be. Im not really looking at trying to win the Rimington again. Im just trying to be the best person I can be and, hopefully, that happens.
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