2024 QB AJ Miller cites 'loyalty' as biggest reason for Syracuse commitment
When Syracuse offensive coordinator Jeff Nixon visited 2024 Rye (NY) High quarterback AJ Miller on Monday, the two spoke about Nixon's vision for the SU offense and how Miller was an excellent fit.
Midway through that conversation, Miller asked to FaceTime Syracuse head coach Fran Brown. When Brown picked up, Miller delivered the news.
"I said, 'hey coach, I'm coming to Syracuse,'" Miller said to The Juice Online. "It was an awesome moment with me and my family and coach Nixon. We shared a big hug. Coach Fran was on a plane, and he was fired up."
It was the culmination of a multi-year relationship between Miller and Syracuse.
He's gotten to know the coaching staff well over the past few years, including quarterbacks coach Nunzio Campanile, assistant quarterbacks coach Manny Harris, and Executive Director of Personnel and Recruiting Khalil Ahmed.
The three have stayed in constant communication with Miller, and more recently, head coach Fran Brown and Nixon have also made it clear that Miller was a priority for their quarterback room.
That was a big reason for why he's the latest member of Syracuse's 2024 class.
"It was hands down the loyalty," Miller said. "A lot of PWOs, they come in just do whatever. That's not what's happening here at Syracuse. Coach Fran made that very clear. The fact that I have Coach Fran's number and access to him speaks to the way he's recruited me. I'm the first quarterback he recruited at Syracuse."
There's good reason why the new staff targeted Miller. As a senior, he threw for 2,948 yards and 28 touchdowns, completing 71 percent of his passes as the Garnets went 12-2 on the year.
Miller's sit-down with Nixon was the final piece he needed.
"We started talking ball and what he really envisions," Miller said. "He's had success at Baylor with Charlie Brewer. They went to the Sugar Bowl. Then he was with the Panthers and Giants. You want to go pro, Coach Nixon's your guy."
Syracuse views Miller as a high IQ football player with the ability to air it down the field, and someone who can step in and run the offense seamlessly.
"I won't lie to you, the install is going to be hard," Nixon said to Miller. "You're going to need to study your butt off. But that's why we're recruiting you. You're a really smart kid with a high GPA and high football IQ."
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