Nov. 5, 2008

By Katie Koerner, MSU Athletic Communications Student Assistant

With his college football career coming to an end, senior offensive lineman Jesse Miller is doing everything he can to make the most of his remaining games as a Spartan athlete. The team's most experienced lineman with 34 consecutive starts, the three-year starter at right tackle said although the number of times he will suit up in his green and white number 79 jersey are limited, he will always remain a Spartan at heart.

"Having the opportunity to play here has been more than I could have ever imagined, and I will remember my time here for the rest of my life," Miller said. "Even though I won't be a Spartan on the field after this season, I will still be a Spartan for the rest of my life."

Miller, originally from Somerville, N.J., said he chose Michigan State University over other schools, such as Iowa and Temple, because he knew the opportunities he would have to not only excel on the football field but in the classroom as well. By taking advantage of the Clara Bell Smith Center and utilizing all the resources available to him, Miller said the past five years has transformed his life.

"When I came here I was a pretty lazy person, but now, that is not me at all," he said. "Michigan State has really turned me from a child into a man, and I have definitely grown and matured since I have been here."

Being an offensive lineman, Miller takes on a special role that is not reflected in the statistics. Each week, Miller has the responsibility of blocking for star running back Javon Ringer, something he says is rewarding in itself.

"The best part about blocking for Javon is that he is a humble person," Miller said. "I don't mind putting in the extra effort for him because I know he is not going to push us down and make it seem like he did it all on his own. He has worked so hard for everything he has accomplished and that makes me want to work even harder for him."

"Roland and I came in together as freshmen and being able to still play with him in our senior seasons is pretty cool," Miller said. "What many people don't know is that within an average recruiting class, only about half of the players will make it all the way to their senior year. It is really nice (Roland) and I have done that together, and from that we know how each other plays and how each other reacts to different situation on the football field."

Miller says the success he has found during his time at MSU would not have been possible without the support from the coaching staff as well as from his family and friends. Surviving on a hard work ethic and values he learned as a child, Miller credits his prosperity to his father, who also taught him the true meaning of success and how to be a good person.

"My dad took care of my entire family growing up without even graduating from high school," Miller said. "He has the hardest work ethic out of anyone I know and was able to provide for us and made sure we lived comfortably through out my childhood."

Forming himself into a team leader is also something Miller said he originally learned from his father. Whether he is showing his leadership qualities vocally or physically, there is no question that Miller's presence is felt on the field. Being a fifth-year senior, Miller said he feels it is a personal duty to be a leader not only on the field, but off the field as well.

This past summer Miller was able to demonstrate this work ethic in a commercial filmed by the Big Ten Network in the Duffy Daugherty Indoor Building. Using his strength to flip over a massive tire, Miller found himself in a state of disbelief and honor.

"The experience was actually pretty shocking to me," Miller said. "I would have never expected to be asked to be in a commercial like that, and I felt so grateful for the opportunity."

Although he has never seen the commercial on television, Miller said the experience in itself was worth it.

"I must have flipped that tire over 17 times, but I was on T.V. and I had to shake it off when my chest started cramping up."

Upon graduation in the spring of 2009, Miller says he plans to do all he can to either further his football career or find a job in the criminal justice field.

"I have been so blessed with the experiences and opportunities I have had here at MSU, and I am going to use everything that they have provided me with to make a successful life later on."

This feature was originally published in the Nov. 1 edition of Michigan State Football Gameday Magazine.