It’s Miller Time.
Or so third-year Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Ventrell Miller hopes.
After missing all of 2023 with an Achilles injury and serving as an understudy behind Foye Oluokun and Devin Lloyd the last two seasons, the 6-foot, 235-pound former Florida Gator is penciled in as the replacement for Lloyd at outside linebacker after Lloyd bolted for the Carolina Panthers in free agency.
As the team nears the end of OTAs and has mandatory minicamp coming up June 9-11, Jaguars defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile said Miller is doing all the right things to prepare for his chance to win the starting job.
Miller said the process hasn’t been much different, since he has a mentality of preparing like a starter, but he did admit that he’s doing extra film work and reps in OTAs, trying to master a blizzard of small details that can make a big difference in Campanile’s scheme.
“Ventrell’s done, I think a really good job to this point,” Campanile said June 1 after the Jaguars had as physical and spirited a practice as could be allowed in jerseys, shorts and helmets. “There’s a bunch of guys battling it out in that room right now. But Ventrell did a good job for us last year and played a bunch for us.”
Miller said it was another day at the office.
“For me, it’s keeping it the same, continuing to try and get better every day,” he said. “That’s the mindset, always. I feel like that has not really changed but I know the expectation is high right now.”
Ventrell Miller has stayed healthy
Miller is especially encouraged by his ability to stay healthy over the past two seasons. After missing 13 of Florida’s 26 games in 2021 and 2022 with a biceps and foot injury, he came up limping with the Achilles injury in the Jaguars’ preseason game against Miami in 2023 and didn’t play another down.
But he was active for 15 games for the Jaguars in 2024, with 74 tackles, four for losses; and all 17 last season, with 27 tackles, an interception, a fumble recovery, a forced fumble and four passes defensed.
Miller also made more of an impact on special teams in 2025, tying Dennis Gardeck for second with 11, behind Rayuan Lane III with 15.
Campanile saw enough last year to make him believe Miller has the potential to step right in for Lloyd.
“He’s a really physical guy,” Campanile said. “I think one of the things that he brings to our defense is a physicality in the run game. I think we’ve got a really good feel for how he fits in, how to use him and really try to play to his strengths within the defense.”
How will Ventrell Miller do in coverage?
One issue might be pass defense. Lloyd was 3 inches taller and had good range in pass coverage. He tied safety Antonio Johnson for the team lead with five interceptions last season and had perhaps the defensive play of the year with his pick of Patrick Mahomes that he returned for a 99-yard touchdown.
Miller has seven passes defensed in two years, with his interception coming against the New York Jets. Campanile doesn’t think Miller’s height will hurt him in coverage.
“Obviously, linebackers come in all different sizes,” he said. “Sam Mills was 5-9, was a multi-year All-Pro. There’s all different types of guys and different sizes of guys who have had success and some of those things actually kind of carry over in our system.”
Miller looking forward to being a playmaker
Miller said Campanile’s system lends itself to the linebackers making plays. Last year, he, Oluokun and Lloyd combined for 3.5 sacks, seven interceptions, two fumble recoveries, three forced fumbles, 24 passes defensed and 12 quarterback hits.
The previous season, the trio combined for three sacks, two interceptions, no fumble recoveries, one forced fumble and 14 passes defensed.
Lloyd flourished in the system and earned his first Pro Bowl recognition. Miller sees no reason it can’t happen for him, with the requisite hard work.
“[Linebackers coach] Tem [Lukabu] does a good job, coaches us hard, expects a lot out of us,” Miller said. “I definitely think I could have a season like [Lloyd’s]. It’s really, scheming everybody … everybody being tied into it. We feel like we’ve got a connected group coming into the second year [under Campanile] and I think more plays are going to be made.”
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jaguars LB Ventrell Miller making the most of his chance to start
Reporting by Garry Smits, Jacksonville Florida Times-Union / Florida Times-Union
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
