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Miller became the first Elk football player to receive a college scholarship in 36 years when he penned his name to a national letter of intent last Wednesday afternoon.

The 6-foot-3, 250-pounder clearly enjoyed being in the spotlight last Wednesday afternoon as he sat at a table festooned with black and Orange balloons outside athletic director Jim Standerfer's office.

Also beaming were head coach Ed Schindler and assistant coach Kevin Westrick, who flanked Miller during the ceremony.

"I like their automotive program (at Ferris) ... that's pretty much what I'm thinking I'm going to do," said Miller, the son of Pat and Karen Miller. "Not a whole lot of schools I was looking at had a good automotive program. And, I like where the campus is located. It's pretty nice.

"The coach is a pretty nice guy. I was pretty impressed with my visit." Ferris recruited Miller as a defensive lineman.

As a two-way starter for the Elks, he's familiar with blocking techniques used by offensive linemen.

"On the defensive side of the ball, it's more feel," said Miller, who'll be redshirted his freshman year.

"If you're being blocked, you have to get off the block. You've got to be able to feel what people are doing to you. On the offensive side it's being able to make sure they don't get off the block."

Miller has speed and quickness too with his size, and that attracted Ferris's interest.

Schindler believes Miller will excel at Ferris.

"I think that the family atmosphere, and the fact they have some good offensive and defensive line coaches there ... I think it's a great fit for Matt, academically and athletically," Schindler said.

"He has a good sense of humor, and gets along with just about everybody he meets. He's not a selfish person.

"Matt is very coachable. He does everything you ask him to do. I don't he's going to have a hard time with that."

Ferris competes in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, one of the toughest in Division 2.

The step up to the college level will be a challenge in itself, and Miller has continued to lift weights since the Elks' season ended in the second round of the playoffs.

"He's really worked in the weight rooms, and speed training to get himself up to have the ability to get a college scholarship," Schindler said.

Miller said he began to do speed training last January.

Knowing he won't play next fall, Miller can concentrate on getting his repetitions in practice and become acclimated to college life.

"I know it's going to be a big step up from high school," Miller said. "I'd like to thank my coaches for their work with me, and helping me develop as a player."

But, his hard work ethic and positive attitude will help him make the transition.