EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — A journey of humble beginnings, flaked with times of unfairness and uncertainty, perseverance and grit, culminating in a chance to play at the highest level have all the fittings for a Hollywood movie.
As production-ready as it sounds, it’s the real life trajectory of Dante Miller’s rise to the National Football League.
The former Richmond Senior High School running back, who graduated in 2018, made headlines Friday when he agreed to terms with the New York Giants.
Becoming the first former Raider football player to ink an NFL deal since Melvin Ingram (2012), Miller continued to chase his dreams after a tumultuous 18-month rollercoaster ride to close out his college playing career.
Following an impressive Pro Timing Day in early March, Miller was invited to a private workout for the Giants last Monday. He received an offer from New York shortly after the workout and soon signed a standard three-year rookie contract as a free agent.
“There was a national scout for the Giants named Mike Derice who knew about me from my time at Columbia,” Miller explained. “The Giants were interested in me and he asked about my eligibility situation at South Carolina.
“After I put up my numbers at my pro day, I was invited to a private workout,” he added. “I worked out in front of the coaching staff and the front office staff. It took me about a day to realize New York is a great place to be. It’s a great organization to play for and I hope I bring a lot to the team.”
The Giants weren’t the only organization eyeing Miller’s potential. He also received interest from Cleveland, Carolina, Jacksonville, the LA Chargers and Tampa Bay, among others.
Miller’s elevation to the League completes a full circle, as he’ll return to New York, the same place he started his college career. Playing football and running track and field at Columbia University, Miller graduated with an Ivy League degree in sociology and economics.
Transferring as a graduate student walk-on, Miller joined the University of South Carolina football program for the 2022 season. That’s when things got dicey for the 5-9, 190-pound running back.
Six games into that season, Miller had to sit out the rest of the campaign after a miscommunication regarding his compliance led to him being ruled ineligible by the NCAA. His waiver in May 2023 was denied and he also had to sit the entire 2023 season.
Undeterred, Miller earned scholarship status and completed masters degrees in sports management and business administration, all while still able to train with the Gamecocks.
Fast forward to this past December when Miller declared for the NFL Draft. But again stymied by the bureaucracy of pro sports, he was ruled ineligible for the Draft.
However, the ruling ended up working in his favor.
“It was a bit tricky,” Miller said. “My agent reached out to the League office to determine if I was draft eligible. We were told I lost my eligibility last May after the last Draft, but was told that I could sign before this Draft.
“It was definitely an interesting situation but it worked out in my favor,” he laughed. “With all of that behind me, it allows me to get into the playbook sooner.”
When it came time to sign his contract last Friday, Miller was hit with a wall of emotion.
“It was a lot. I was really overwhelmed in the most positive way I could imagine,” Miller said. “To even have an opportunity after everything I went through means a lot. I think a lot of people in my situation would have folded, but I had a lot of people support me so I owed it to them and myself.
“I felt a lot of relief, and also a lot of readiness to compete,” he continued. “I’m ready to put my best foot forward. What you put in is what you get out, and after a long year, it’s great to see it all come to fruition.”
Since the new year, Miller has played in the invite-only College Gridiron Showcase and relocated to Fort Lauderdale, Fla., to continue his training with XPE Sports, which has trained over 30 first-round picks.
Participating in USC’s Pro Timing Day March 12, Miller blazed his way to the attention of NFL scouts and organizations, including Derice and the Giants.
He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.27 seconds, the fastest time of the 15 former Gamecocks working out. In a previous RO article, Miller said he wanted “to run a 4.2.”
Miller also led all players with the highest vertical jump (37.5 inches) and longest broad jump (10 feet, 9 inches). He pumped out 28 reps of 225 pounds, ran the shuttle in 4.50 seconds and completed the three-cone drill in 7.41 seconds.
“Being a guy who didn’t play for a year and a half because of something I couldn’t control, I knew I had to put up good numbers at my pro day,” Miller shared. “I wanted to prove that missing that season didn’t affect me and that I was just as good, if not a better player.
“My pro day really validated things for me. By putting those numbers on paper I was able to show my athleticism and coaches can put me anywhere on the field. I showed that even though I lost a year of eligibility, I can still play football.”
During his freshman season at Columbia, Miller got the nickname “Lil Turbo” from a teammate following a long runback against Central Connecticut State. Always known for his speed, Miller says he tries to personify the moniker while on the field.
“I embody that with my playing style,” he said. “I want to distinguish myself from others and I can use my speed to do that. When I want to hit a crease, I hit it hard and I don’t think I’ve ever been caught from behind. When I break, I’m a playmaker.”
As he nears the summit of his next peak, Miller hasn’t forgotten his long and sometimes grueling journey to the NFL.
Growing up, he spent several years in foster care in Connecticut before being adopted by Antoinette Flowers, his birth mother’s first cousin.
Near the end of grade school, Flowers relocated Miller to her home in Rockingham, a small southern community where he found his home and his calling for football.
Saying he is “blessed” to have this opportunity before him, Miller wants to continue to be living proof of pursuing one’s dreams.
“From where I started, it feels great knowing I was able to accomplish this,” Miller said. “Rockingham can be a tough place to grow up for a lot of kids. I want them to know they can stay the course and believe in themselves like I did.
“If they do that, they can achieve whatever they want to do,” he closed. “And I plan on continuing to play hard and serve as a beacon of hope for kids all over. No matter what’s thrown at them, they can reach the same destination even if it’s on a different path.”
Miller will begin voluntary offseason workouts with the New York Giants starting April 15.
