Kolton Miller

Kolton Miller's Biography

Kolton Daniel Miller, born on October 9, 1995, has quickly become a name familiar to many American football enthusiasts. An impressive offensive tackle, Miller currently shines on the field for the Las Vegas Raiders in the National Football League (NFL). His trajectory to success, much like his style of play, is a fascinating and inspiring journey.

Kolton’s tryst with football began during his college days at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), one of the most prestigious academic and sporting institutions in the United States. After redshirting in 2014, a common practice in American college sports to extend an athlete’s eligibility period, Miller got his big break in 2015. He was called upon to fill the cleats of Conor McDermott in a match against California after McDermott suffered an injury. Rising to the occasion, Miller outperformed expectations, securing his position as the starting tackle for UCLA from then on.

The 2016 season started well for Miller, with him leading the offensive lines as the starting tackle in the first five matches. However, he was injured in a game against Arizona, which effectively ruled him out for the rest of that season. Despite this setback, Miller’s spirit remained undeterred. He returned to the field with a renewed vigor for the 2017 season, displaying such exceptional performances that he chose to declare for the NFL 2018 Draft.

The NFL combine is a stage that every aspiring professional football player dreams of shining on. And shine, Miller did. He set a record that remains unbroken – a broad jump of 10’1” – the furthest an offensive lineman has ever accomplished in the history of the combine. It was no surprise then that the Oakland Raiders drafted him with the 15th overall pick in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft.

Miller put pen to paper on a four-year rookie deal with the Raiders on May 18, 2018. His performance at training compelled the coaching staff to name him as the Raiders’ starting left tackle even before the season began, a position typically occupied by the experienced Donald Penn. However, Penn was switched to the right while Miller solidified his position on the field, proving the coach’s decision right.

Although he encountered a few hiccups early in the season, such as allowing three sacks on quarterback Derek Carr in the 5th week against the Los Angeles Chargers, and three more in the following week against the Seattle Seahawks, Miller rebounded strongly. During the 8th week game against the Indianapolis Colts, Miller and the offensive line did not allow a single sack, a testament to their improvement and cohesion as a unit.

Despite the Raiders’ acquisition of veteran Trent Brown, head coach Jon Gruden reiterated confidence in Miller, announcing that he would continue as the left tackle while Brown would move to the right. The 2020 season was challenging due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and Miller was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list by the team on October 22. He returned two days later, rearing towards contributing to his team’s success.

Recognizing his talent and continued contribution to the team, the Raiders offered Miller a three-year contract extension in 2021. This $54.015 million contract, inclusive of $42.6 million guaranteed, would keep him as an integral part of the Raiders roster through the 2025 season.

In conclusion, Kolton Miller, with his commitment, skill, and indomitable spirit, has charted his journey from a college athlete to an established name in the NFL. His tale stands as an inspiration to all those who aspire to soar high in the arena of professional football.