DJ Miller (UK Athletics Photo)
Who is freshman receiver Cameron Miller?
That’s the question most Kentucky football fans were asking after the freshman receiver caught three passes for 41 yards IN THE FOURTH QUARTER of UK’s loss to Georgia.
At some schools, those would not be jaw-dropping numbers but only two of UK’s highly touted transfer receivers have even caught a pass this season and yet Miller somehow managed to come into the game, get open downfield and catch three passes from quarterback Cutter Boley for 41 yards.
The 5-foot-11 Miller is a true freshman from Camden, N.J., who was a four-star prospect and the nation’s 31st ranked receiver in his recruiting class when he picked UK over Michigan, Wisconsin and others.
He led his high school team to a 14-0 season — the first unbeaten season since 1969 — and first state title in 2024. He was a two-way starter at receiver and cornerback. He had 42 catches for 722 yards and 14 scores in 2024 along with 28 tackles, two interceptions and one quarterback sack. He also returned two punts for touchdowns.
He was Winslow Township’s all-time leader in career catches (156), receiving yards (2,889) and receiving touchdowns (42).
He also excelled on the track team, running the 100-meter, 200-meter and 400-meter sprint and the 100- and 200-meter hurdles.
“He’s a great young man. He has a great personality. He’s very much the same every day,” Kentucky coach Mark Stoops said Monday. “And in practice, when he got those opportunities, he made plays and he’s a guy when he is covered, if the quarterback gives him a good opportunity he comes down with the football more times than not.
“He got here late (in the summer), and so with all freshmen as you’re trying to piece everything together at that point about how much offense, how much defense, and all that, when you’re young, it’s really hard to stay on top of all that. So it’s just stuff we have to balance.”
Surely Kentucky can “balance” a way to get a player on the field who averaged 14 yards per catch and got open more downfield in one quarter than most UK wide receivers have in five games.
Are there any other young receivers that Stoops might be ready to play to energize the UK offense against Texas on Saturday night?
“I think DJ (Miller) is a guy that we have to continue to look at. They have to do their part as well. They have to be consistent and bring an edge and an attitude to practice every day so we trust them. We’ll continue working on it,” the UK coach said.
What about freshman Montavin Quisenberry, who was praised constantly in spring practice and again in August for his playmaking ability?
“He’s another one that, again, there’s a rotation of those receivers and trying to get game reps is difficult. That’s why practice and competing, as I mentioned, at this point in the season, it’s our last bye to take some days and really work with all of those guys, you have to take a look,” Stoops said.
“We want to win, and so we’re trying to find the best options we can to win right now. And if he can help us, he will, but again, terrific young man. I love having him on the team. He’s going to be a very good player and if he can help us, we’ll get him in there.”
Based on the trouble UK receivers have had, it’s hard to imagine that the young receivers could do any worse, especially after watching what Cameron Miller did against Georgia.
6 Responses
Put them in for the plays they know. Don't wait for them to know the entire playbook. As for reps in practice, doesn't the Coach decide who gets those reps???
Sounds like an easy fix right in Stoops' face, but he can't see because he is blinded by the fact they are freshmen.
I would play all of the freshman receivers for at least 4 games. Get the some live reps against Auburn, Tennessee tech Vanderbilt and Louisville. The Louisville game will tell how much of a stride they have made this year and you will get a glance of what they will be like next year. We need to keep Gilmore, Cam Miller, The other Cam and we need give Ashton Cozart and another freshman some reps. They cant do much worse than all these 5th receiver seniors that we have. There is a possibility we get Stellato back next year. I don't think he's played in a game yet or maybe just one. I've heard he got hurt in summer practice and hasn't been 100% all year. So play him in 4 games and see if he can get healthy and learn the playbook for next year. He has the best hands on the team and is one of the only receivers on the team who's not scared to catch the ball over the middle even with contact. I thought he would be one of our leading receivers this heart. Seeing that he had 70 receptions at Clemson in only 28 games. That's about 3 catches per game. His last 2 years at Clemson he had 58 catches which is about 30 a year. Your supposed to get better every year with your senior year being your best year. So 58 catches in 2 years in only 18 games is great. Why does he come here and through 5 games have 0 receptions. Its like when we get guys from other teams who even started for there other team when they come here its like they seem to get worse. Look at Leary look at Brock V. Look at Stellato. Look at the linebacker we got from Georgia last year pop. Look at everyone we get in the transfer portal they usually suck. So play the 2024 class and get them ready to be starters next year. Then play all the 2025 class at least 4 games. They need live action. Practice alone won't help them get better. They need game reps. I don't think Barnhart fires Stoops after the Texas game. If we get destroyed by Texas and nobody comes to the Tennessee game and we lose he might get fired after the Tennessee game. If not he will get fired at the end of the year. If you fire him now you will have to start recruiting the 2026 class again. Because most if not all will go elsewhere. I would keep Stoops until I found his replacement. That a way we don't go 2-4 weeks without a coach during the recruiting period. If he did get fired now I guess Eddie Gran would be the coach. I think he would do a better job than Stoops is doing. Hes a great motivator and he knows how to build chemistry with the team.
Duh…. He's the only receiver that is making a difference. In what world does he not get to play?
The Stoops world does not allow it!
That one quarter will garner interest from at least a few elite programs and he will transfer to a winning program after watching UK play from the sidelines.
Now that he has PROVEN his worth, he needs to be called on a couple times every quarter, or more!
Vince Dooley did no know he was the only person who could stop Herschel Walker until he put him in against TN on the road out of desperation. Walker literally ran over an All-American LB to get a TD and instantly revealed he was one of the greatest RB in history! Dooley did have enough sense to immediately give Walker the nod after that game and let him run, run, run instead of watching from the sideline as a freshmen.
Some know what to do when talent proves it’s worth & some don’t.
Time for a new AD, HC & OC !!!
yes it will