QUICK HITS
POSITION: Defensive tackle
HEIGHT: 6-3
WEIGHT: 270
HOMETOWN: Houston, TX
HIGH SCHOOL: Stratford
247 COMPOSITE RATING: ★★★ (.8032)
NATIONAL RANK: 2006
POSITION RANK: 119
STATE RANK: 237
OTHER OFFERS: Air Force, Army, Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, Houston, Kansas, Louisiana-Lafayette, Nevada, North Texas, Rice, SMU, Texas Tech, Texas-San Antonio, UCF, Utah, Utah State
MORE: 247 Profile | Hudl | Twitter
BACKGROUND
Alex Miller is from Houston and played his high school ball at Stratford High School. He was recruited as a defensive tackle. His brother Sam is a four-star DT recruit in the class of 2017 who has also recently committed to Northwestern. Miller is the lowest rated player in Northwestern's class on 247 Sports. He's primarily an interior pass rusher who can also defend against the run. He brings good size and quickness to his play on the defensive line.
Miller was effective in high school, and the main skill that he brings to the table is his quickness. Miller ran a 4.98-second 40-yard dash according to Hudl, and appears to be a situational speed rusher who is best when playing against the run. In his junior year, Miller had 65 tackles but just 1 sack. On his tape, he does not have outstanding technique, but he repeatedly beats offensive lineman due to his quickness and speed. In a few highlights, he quickly runs across the field to make plays.
OUTLOOK
Northwestern will need to bolster its defensive line with the departure of Dean Lowry and Deonte Gibson, but the Wildcats are still strong up the middle. With Tyler Lancaster, Jordan Thompson, C.J. Robbins, Greg Kuhar still around, Miller will have to wait his turn.
Miller has the size and speed to be a contributor at some point on the defensive line, but he needs to work on his technique if he wants to make an impact early in his career. He's also not the best interior defensive lineman in NU's class, at least according to recruiting rankings. Jake Saunders is the more impressive prospect. Miller could see snaps in a situational role as an underclassman, but he could eventually play a bigger role on the defensive line. Considering Alex was probably a huge part of getting his brother Sam into the program as well, Alex has already provided value for Northwestern's future defensive line.