Wearing the “grey-shirt”

instead of Red and Blue

Miller sits out first semester

Most anyone who knows anything about college football has heard of someone that has been “red-shirted.” When a player is “red-shirted” they are enrolled as a full-time student at the school where they will not play and lose a year of eligibility. A term most people have not heard of is “grey-shirted,” which is when a student-athlete is in the school but does not qualify as a full-time student. This allows the student not to use one of his/her years of eligibility. Incoming freshman Maikhail Miller has been “grey-shirted” for the 2011 fall semester.

“I guess that they (Ole Miss) had a lot (of quartarbacks) in front of me,” Miller said.

Miller attended ItawambaAgricultural high school in Fulton, where started three seasons under center for the Indians. Miller was a three star recruit according to both rivals.com and scout.com.

“I think Maikhail has got a bright future,” Miller’s high school coach Ashley Kuhn said, “he’s an excellent quarterback and an he’s even better person.”

Miller had the challenge of a new system of offense his senior year, due to a coaching change to Kuhn from now head coach at Starkville high school Jamie Mitchell.
On both rivals.com and scout.com, Miller is listed as a three star recruite. Miller was also list as the top 50 by both sites at the quarterback position in the nation, 23 by rivals.com and 45 by scout.com. Miller was also list as the 20 on ESPN.com at quarterback.

As a junior, Miller passed for over 2,000 yards including 20 touchdowns through the air. Miller also averaged 12.5 yard a carry, for more than 500 more yard on the ground with only 40 rushing attempts resulting in ten touchdowns. His senior year Miller threw for 1,636 yards resulting in 14 touchdowns and rushed for an additional 1,148 yards adding 22 more touchdowns. Miller helped IAHS to make it to the playoffs each year he started under center.

Miller had offers from the University of Mississippi, the University of Memphis, the University of Southern Mississippi, Arkansas State University, Ohio University and the University of Alabama- Birmingham. On February 2, “national signing day,” Miller signed with Ole Miss.

Miller arrived at Ole Miss the first week of June and to start taking a few classes and doing some workouts to help him to stay in shape. Miller can not enroll as a full-time student until spring of 2012 at which point the "grey-shirt" will be lifted.

“I am working out with the team and we have got pass skill at night sometimes and running,” Miller said.

Miller hopes to become a top contender for the starting quarterback position very quickly after joining the team in the spring of 2012.

"I think it will take me about a year and a half,” Miller said. “I want to focus on learning the system and becoming the best I possibly can on the football field."