MORGANTOWN — Texas has a potential NFL first-rounder at running back in Bijan Robinson, while Kansas State has maybe the most versatile back in the Big 12 in Deuce Vaughn.
Oklahoma? The Sooners have seemingly always had a good one going back to the days of Adrian Peterson.
There is no lack of talent in the running department in the Big 12 this season, but there seems to be a forgotten man in the bunch.
That would be TCU’s Kendre Miller, who enters Saturday’s game against West Virginia (3-4, 1-3 Big 12) already with 731 yards and 10 rushing touchdowns.
Miller is forgotten only in the sense that he shared the backfield with Zach Evans last season, and is now just getting his moment in the spotlight, as Evans transferred to Ole Miss.
It would seem it’s taken a while for those around the country to take notice of Miller, even as the No. 7 Horned Frogs (7-0, 4-0) have shot up the national rankings.
“Kendre can’t control what somebody writes about him or says about him,” TCU head coach Sonny Dykes told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. “But he can control the way he prepares, the attitude and the toughness he plays with on Saturday. I think he’s really in a good place and an outstanding running back.”
Rest assured, WVU head coach Neal Brown is well-versed in Miller’s abilities.
“Nobody is talking about him as much as he deserves,” Brown said. “It was the same thing last year. Everybody talked about Zach Evans, and he was a really good player, but Miller was every bit as productive.”
At 6-feet and 220 pounds, Brown said Miller is a punishing back that wears down defenses.
He’s scored at least one touchdown in every game this season and has rushed for at least 104 yards in four of the Horned Frogs’ last five games.
“He’s a really hard tackle and he wears you down as you go,” Brown continued. “Those big backs are hard to tackle and they lean on you the whole game. The more carries he gets, the more times you’ve got to put your face on it, and it’s hard. He’s really good in the pass game, which doesn’t get talked about much.”
Much of Miller’s production comes from a talented offensive line that has paved the way to the Horned Frogs being the No. 1 offense in the Big 12 in scoring (44.7 per game) and in total yards (522.1 per game).
“There’s a lot of confidence in their offensive line. I think they’re much improved and much better,” WVU defensive coordinator Jordan Lesley said. “That helps, not only (TCU quarterback Max Duggan) to run the ball, but also their running backs.”
Miller was a sort of afterthought coming out of Mount Enterprise (Texas) High School, where his other scholarship offers came from Southern Miss, Wyoming and Texas at San Antonio.
Still, he has been explosive throughout his TCU career, averaging 6.8 yards per carry over 26 games, including 7.5 yards per carry last season when he split time with Evans.
“They’ve been able to rush the football for more than 200 yards in all these big wins,” Brown said. “He’s a really good all-around player and he doesn’t get the attention he deserves.”
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