Texas Offers John Tyler’s Damion Miller

It's known state-wide that John Tyler and the University of Texas have enjoyed a productive relationship through the years.

The Longhorns asked junior Lions receiver Damion Miller to follow in the footsteps of Earl Campbell, Chris Carter, Aaron Ross and Tim Crowder with a college football scholarship opportunity Sunday evening. The invitation immediately followed Miller's trip to Austin for an on-campus football camp.

Miller (6-2, 205) announced the news through his personal Twitter account. The offer joined a pile that currently includes Houston, SMU, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, Kansas and Oklahoma State.

Texas historically enjoys success in East Texas, but the program went 1-for-6 regionally during the last recruiting cycle. Four targets holding Longhorns offers chose Texas A&M and a fifth took up an invitation from Baylor.

Gilmer star Kris Boyd inked with the Longhorns.

Head coach Charlie Strong did make a second splash after national signing day, however. He got legendary Gilmer head coach Jeff Traylor to leave the comfortable high school ranks to serve as the team's new tight ends and special teams coach.

Traylor also is expected to maintain recruiting relationships within East Texas.

Aside from Miller, Texas currently has two offers out for uncommitted prospects from the region. Senior Nacogdoches safety Brandon Jones and junior Liberty-Eylau defensive end Lagaryonn Carson are the targets.

The Longhorns also have a solid commitment from Gilmer defensive end Demarco Boyd.

Strong, who took the job on Jan. 5, 2014 after a successful four-year stint at Louisville, guided the team to a 6-7 campaign last year. The season concluded with a loss to Arkansas in the Texas Bowl.

There's reason for more optimism this year. The program put together a recruiting class 247Sports.com, Rivals.com and Scout.com all ranked in the top 15 among FBS teams, and the carryovers on the roster are expected to benefit from coaching continuity.

Miller enjoyed a breakout sophomore season at John Tyler.

He helped the Lions reach the Class 5A Division I state semifinals and led John Tyler with eight touchdown catches. He finished with 614 yards on 26 receptions — an average of 23.6 yards per catch.

The star wideout competed at the third annual ETSN.fm + APEC Football Recruiting Combine last month in Tyler.

Miller posted top 10 finishes among all 113 invited athletes in the 40-yard dash, broad jump and max vertical testing events. He was second among all prospects with a max vertical jump of 11 feet and two inches, only bested by rising junior John Tyler quarterback Bryson Smith.

Miller still has two seasons in front of him at John Tyler. He will become eligible to sign with any program that offers him in February, 2017.

2017 East Texas Football Players With Division I FBS Offers

• Lagaryonn Carson, DE, Liberty-Eylau, 6-4, 261 — offers from Alabama, Baylor, North Texas, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Texas A&M (7)
• Trestan Ebner, WR/S, Henderson, 5-11, 180 – offers from Kansas, SMU (2)
• Montrell Estell, WR/S, Hooks, 6-2, 180 — offers from Kansas, Texas Tech (2)
• Octavius Evans, WR, Center, 6-1, 186 — offers from Louisiana Tech, Texas Tech (2)
• Damion Miller, WR, John Tyler, 6-2, 205 — offers from Houston, Kansas, Oklahoma State, SMU, Texas, Texas A&M, Texas Tech (7)
• Major Tennison, TE, Bullard, 6-4, 220 — offer from Texas Tech (1)