Photo credit: Alex Shepherd, Gator Bait Media
Florida linebacker Ventrell Miller was supposed to be a key piece on the Gators’ 2021 defense. But before he’d even played a conference game, he suffered an injury that prematurely pulled the plug on his season.
It appears as though he’s set to make up for that lost season by giving the Gators one more year of his efforts.
Miller announced on Instagram that he intends to return to Gainesville and use his extra year of eligibility in 2022. Miller wrote: “Life is full of tough decisions. However, my mind is made up. I’m excited to announce that I will be entering the New Year as a Florida Gator! Merry Christmas. #LastRide #GoGators.”
Merry Christmas, indeed.
Ventrell Miller was a vital component to the Gators’ defense in 2019, accumulating 55 tackles in a season in which that defense finished in the top ten in the country in terms of yards per game allowed. The defense took a gargantuan step backwards in 2020, but Miller was one of the few highlights on that unit, racking up 86 tackles and breaking up three passes at his middle linebacker spot that year.
Many fans were (rightfully) upset about the prospect of Todd Grantham returning in 2021, but Miller’s return was pointed to as a reason to be excited about the season despite that. Then he suffered his season-ending injury against South Florida, leaving Gator fans wondering if they’d see him in a Gator uniform again. And now, we have our answer to that: we will.
Miller becomes the second Gator to announce his plans to return in 2022 today. A few hours ago, wide receiver Justin Shorter announced his intentions to come back to Florida next season.
