Miller (WRs)

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Football: MSU's Jevon Miller anchors receiving core

By TIM DUMAS, Chronicle Sports Writer

The perception is that he's a novelty.

Reality says different.

Aside from college, Jevon Miller has lived his entire life in Alaska. Land of dark winters and endless snow, right?

Not so.

Miller, one of several talented Montana State receivers, is from Anchorage, a city of 261,000 people, where the shortest day is seven and-a-half hours long - not quite the complete darkness most people expect on the winter solstice.

And the average yearly snowfall is 67 inches, not far from Bozeman's total.

"Everybody says that they think we grew up in igloos," said Miller, a senior, with one of his easy laughs. "But it's a place like any other place."

Another misconception is that Miller came to MSU solely because Tramaine Murray, his former teammate at Washington State, transferred here first.

That's partly true.

"It's nice to know somebody who came from where you came from," said Miller, who roomed with Murray, also a receiver, when WSU traveled. "But I get along well with everybody."

And vice versa.

"He's always smiling," Montana State receivers coach Junior Adams said. "I've never seen him in a bad mood."

That attitude and his openness to all people - and all activities ("if someone wants to go down to the park and play tag, I'm down for whatever," he says) - was key to Miller receiving recognition while playing in such a remote location.

He participated in any sport put in front of him: Basketball, hockey, football, soccer, baseball, tennis, track.

He traveled with East High - one of nine high schools in Anchorage - to basketball tournaments in Hawaii and beyond to play against the best in the nation.

He did what he had to.

"Sports-wise," Miller said, "Alaska's its own place. There's a lot of talent up there, but you're starting from the bottom. If you're from Cali(fornia) and from other states, they start (recruiting you) in junior high."

Miller is one of only three Alaskans on Big Sky Conference football rosters (MSU's Matt Crane and Weber State's Justin Schwartzbauer, also receivers, are the others) and used his diversity and athleticism to get noticed.

In high school, he was named Alaska's Gatorade High School Player of the Year - for soccer. Twice.

As a basketball player, he led East to a state title and played in the Nike Iolani Prep Classic in Hawaii, a tournament that included future NBA players Tyson Chandler and DeShawn Stevenson. He was also MVP of the 2001 Alaska Prep Shootout.

For football, Miller earned first team all-conference honors at running back and defensive back as a senior. Remember, he's a receiver now.

He also found time to compete in track, which is run during the spring/soccer season, and is a flashy dancer as well.

"My parents put me in a lot of sports growing up," Miller said. "I didn't know where I was going to play - I knew I was going to get my school paid from one of my sports - and football just happened to come."

At Washington State, where Miller was originally projected as a defensive back, his only three receptions came against Montana State three seasons ago. Hampered by a serious wrist injury, he then played mostly on special teams until deciding to transfer.

At Montana State, he'll likely surpass his career total in receptions by the time fall begins. But even though he just arrived in Bozeman earlier this summer, those around Miller have taken a shine to him.

"He fit right in," Adams said. "He's upbeat, he always has this little giggle. That's a guy you can look at and say, 'here's someone who loves the game.'"

And life.

"I like to have fun," Miller said. "I have an open mind, so I'm willing to do anything."

Receivers

AT A GLANCE

COACH: Junior Adams (2nd year).

RETURNING STARTERS: Sr. Rick Gatewood (6-0, 185); Sr. Chaz Guinn (6-2, 194); Jr. Brandon Roosevelt (5-11, 166).

TRANSFERS: Sr. Tramaine Murray (Wash. St., 5-10, 180); Sr. Jevon Miller (Wash. St., 6-0, 200); Fr. Nolan Lee (Hawaii, 6-4, 185).

RETURNING REDSHIRTS: Fr. Mike Brown (5-9, 186); Fr. Toby Rundle (5-10, 181); Fr. Tyler Lulay (6-0, 182).

KEY LOSSES: Eddie Sullivan (51 catches last year).

STRENGTHS: Speed and experience. Defenses can't focus on one player.

KEY QUESTIONS: Can unit avoid occasional bout with dropped passes? Can Gatewood (offseason shoulder surgery, slight ankle injury in fall camp) stay healthy to become Big Sky's premier receiver?

DID YOU KNOW? Guinn is a two-time national karate champion.

OUTLOOK: Position has more talent and depth than any team in the conference.

ETC: Look for Gatewood and Brown periodically to take pitches from QB Travis Lulay.

QUOTE: "As long as we win, they all should be happy," Adams said, referring to spreading around enough catches for everyone. "They're all here to win."