Move in time for Miller and the freshman class

Heading to college for the very first time is a very special moment for almost every recent high school grad. It's a legitimate, in-your-face marker flagging the next big step in life, the first true one out into the much, much larger world.

And while it's certainly important and holds real meaning for every soon-to-be college freshman, it's quite different and - more than likely - a more monumental moment for student athletes.

Aside from adjusting to college life and truly being out on their own for the first time, student athletes must also learn to add their strenuous and time-consuming sports responsibilities to the mix, too.

That goes for every member of Texas Tech's 2016 signing class, many of whom will be moving to Lubbock this weekend to begin their life as a freshman football player.

Keller (Texas) defensive end Houston Miller will be among them, and he's chomping at the bit to be on campus already.

"It's really just anticipation of getting there right now, and I'm really excited for that," he said. "I'm really just anticipating class. The football aspect of it doesn't really change. It gets faster, yes, but it's still the game. Getting used to the classes and new schedules, that's the thing. You've got to take care of yourself more than at home, and it's a new chapter in life, and it's just something you've got to do. It's going to be fun to experience that for the first time."

He and his classmates won't be flying in blind, though, as they've had early enrollees Jett Duffey and John Picone to grab advice from and pick up a better understanding of what to expect.

"We've all been talking to Picone and Jett," he said. "We've been asking them these questions, asking them what the biggest changes are, how classes are going, what goes on with our schedules, so we're anxious to see about all that."

The Keller defender already knows who he's rooming with, too: Fellow defensive linemen Noah Jones, Nick McCann, and Ivory Jackson. Miller is pumped to be living with that trio, as being in the same position group will definitely give some big advantages.

"I talked to Coach Reed, and I know we're all rooming together," he said. "It's going to be fun. We'll all be able to relate, talk about practice, about what's going on, help each other with understanding plays, so it'll be cool. Nick and I are majoring in the same thing, so we'll be able to get our work done."

Miller's been trying to give himself as much of a head start heading into the summer offseason, too, working hard all spring in the weight room. He's up to 250 pounds right now, and he feels great physically.

"The spring went great. I've been working out, been doing everything the coaches sent us, been doing my own thing, just trying to become the best I can be before I get there. I'm just ready to tear it up when I get there. That's the biggest thing. I've put on weight, getting stronger and faster, and I haven't lost any speed, actually gotten faster while putting on the weight, so that's what was going on all spring."

Miller also noted he's running a 4.5 forty right now, something that he's still having to convince defensive line coach Kevin Patrick of.

"He didn't believe that I ran a 4.5," Miller laughed. "I told him that I'd prove it to him when I get there, come on man."

Patrick is the only person currently in Lubbock he's been keeping in touch with, either. Miller has become close friends with DT Breiden Fehoko, who's already let the DE know that it'll be time to hit the ground running once he arrives on campus.

"Breiden is good. He was telling us that they need us to get there, to be ready to work. I was talking to Coach Patrick about that, too. He just needs me to get in there and get to work, so that's what I intend on doing so I can get out there in the fall and tear it up. We've got to make some plays, and people have got to be ready."

So, ready or not, it's time to become a college football player for Miller and his classmates. He believes he's ready, though.

"I'm excited for it. I'm really anxious to get out there and get the feeling for it, just get moved in. That's going to be really exciting. I'm not really nervous for it, it's just the anticipation of, wow, this is really happening. It's a really good feeling to know that it's happening. It's a new chapter."