Athlete Spotlight
Paul Miller has a certain Clark Kent quality about him.
Lakeside's Paul Miller is in the Athlete Spotlight.
Photo by Jim Blaylock
The unassuming Lakeside High School linebacker is all smiles off the field. He jokes around with teammates and seems docile.
On the field, however, Miller taps into his alter ego and is one of the most productive defensive players in the county.
The rising senior might lose that unassuming trait after an impressive summer, which included a strong showing at the Auburn summer camp.
Miller, who measured at 6-foot-1 and 200 pounds at Auburn, tested out as one of the top linebackers at the camp. He finished with the fourth-fastest 40-yard dash time (4.79), which was faster than five defensive backs and six running backs and receivers. He also finished fifth in shuttle run, fourth in the three-cone drill and broad jump among linebackers.
"Paul and Ryan Shuler and Chris Drayton all did real well at the Auburn camp," said Lakeside coach Randy Hill. "We have some strong college prospects this year."
The summer has been an opportunity for Miller to build on a strong junior season, in which he was an anchor for the Panthers' strong defense.
Miller's 77 tackles last season is the seventh-highest total for returning players. He was one of three Panthers named honorable mention All-Area by The Augusta Chronicle and was named first team All-County. He also led Lakeside with four sacks and had two more in a preseason scrimmage with Butler.
"Paul has a motor that doesn't stop," said former teammate Carl Burrow. "He is always working hard and doesn't know when to quit."
Miller will be one of the leaders of a defense that will be expected, at times, to carry an inexperienced offense.
"Last year, we weren't really sure about the defense and thought the offense would carry us," Hill said. "But the defense came through. This year, we might have to lean on the defense. With players like Paul, Drayton, Kyle (Hill), (Jonathan) Azar and others, I'm comfortable with that."