Miller's childhood dream to continue at Tennessee

Ryan Miller C / SS / Dublin Jerome, OH / 2021

DUBLIN - When Ryan Miller was in early elementary school the question came up …

“What do you want to do for a job when you get older?”

The answer was simple for Miller.

“Play baseball.”

The Dublin Jerome sophomore will have the chance to continue his childhood dream after a commitment to Tennessee.

“Last winter my new summer coach Cory Valentine and Jordan Chiero (PBR Ohio Director of Scouting) put together some potential schools,” Miller reflected. “Then this summer Cory and Chris Valentine (PBR Ohio Executive Director) connected with some coaches to see me play.”

Communication at the Future Games took off with many schools, including Tennessee.

“That was a fun and cool experience,” the top-rated 2021 catcher in Ohio said of the August event held in Indiana. “The competition level was so high, and I performed well. I began communicating with them then and it picked up when the whole coaching staff was able to see me.

“At the end of the summer I went to a camp and was able to see the campus,” Miller said of Tennessee. “Then I went back and revisited a few weeks ago to take my mom.”

Clemson was also in talks with Miller after his performance at the Future Games with Indiana, Purdue, Cincinnati, Xavier and Michigan others showing interest. Visits took place to IU, Michigan and Clemson in addition to Tennessee.

“First off, I just loved the energy the coaching staff brought,” Miller noted about the Vols, which this past season under first-year head coach Tony Vitello won their most SEC home games since 2005. “The experience of coach Vitello and the other coaches under him was a big factor. I also liked the campus and the convenience of it all together. That was nice.”

The ability of the left-handed hitting Miller at the plate as well as his skills behind the plate stood out to Tennessee according to the Jerome standout.