Miller to continue grid career at Oklahoma
BY SHAWN LAYTON Staff Writer
Last week Metuchen High School's Dejuan Miller saw his boyhood dream come true when he accepted a full scholarship to play football at the University of Oklahoma. One of the best wide receivers in the nation, Miller had Oklahoma, Penn State andMichigan as his top three choices, but the Sooners had too much history on their side.

"I remember watching an overtime game with my dad years ago," Miller said. "It was an exciting game, and since that moment Oklahoma has always been my favorite team. I've wanted to play for them since I was 7 or 8 years old."

The two-sport standout atMetuchen is currently hoping to lead the boys basketball team to some surprise upsets in the Greater Middlesex Conference Tournament that swings into full gear this week.

"We're looking to bounce back from a recent loss and pull off some upsets in the GMC," Miller said. "You never know what can happen, and the goal is to be the best team on the floor on the night you play. Maybe we can be like the Giants or be this tournament's version of George Mason."

If the Bulldogs should pull off any major upsets, you can bet Miller will be a big reason. Ever since scoring his 1,000th career point earlier in the season, Miller has been on a scoring tear. He heads into the tournament averaging 23 points per game and recently scored a career high of 35 points against Spotswood."

On national signing day, sportswriters across the country commented on Oklahoma's successful recruiting year led by Miller's acceptance to play for the Sooners.

"It feels pretty good to be one of the top receivers in the country, but I always feel like I need to get better," Miller said. "I'm a big perfectionist and if I make five catches in a game and drop one, I'm going to concentrate on that drop."

Heading to the Big 12 and one of the nation's premier football programs,Miller is well aware of the expectations that come with the national spotlight.

"As far as playing, they expect me to play right away and make an impact," he said. "Guys at Oklahoma can do things just as good or even better than I can. I'll just have to stay humble and let my performance speak for itself."

Miller credits his time spent under the tutelage of Metuchen football head coach Bob Ulmer and basketball coach Rich Stoner with instilling a work ethic in him that enabled him to earn a free education.

"Coach Ulmer is a guy that wants to win, and he doesn't care if it's pretty or ugly," Miller said. "I learned to work hard by watching him work so hard for his players. We always went above and beyond to help prepare us for game day. Coach Stoner is the same way, and he is constantly pushing us to reach our maximum potential. He doesn't settle for mediocrity."

Miller plans to take what Ulmer and Stoner have taught him into the classroom as well as on the playing field.

"I want to study journalism,"Miller said. "I'd love to become a sports analyst forESPN or The Sporting News. I'ma sports guy, so a career in the field would be great."

If Miller keeps working and performing at high levels, he just might make that dream come true too.