49ers FB, Bruce Miller Interview

Bruce Miller played college football at the University of Central Florida. He was the Conference-USA Defensive Player of the Year for his phenomenal senior season. He entered the 2011 NFL Draft, and was drafted in the 7th round by the San Francisco 49ers. Coach Jim Harbaugh decided to switch him to fullback, and he talks about the adjustment. Check out our interview that was done in the early part of the 2011 NFL season.

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Strauss : How do you connect with your fans?

Miller : There are lots of ways for me to connect with fans. I always enjoy events where we can interact with the fans! I also like Twitter and Facebook.

Strauss : What was it like for you playing youth football?

Miller : My dad was the coach of my youth football teams, so we always had a blast!  We also had some pretty good teams growing up, but it was just a lot of fun to be at the park all day with friends and family!

Strauss : What was your high school football experience like? 

Miller : I still miss the days playing high school football. We had a large group of guys that played football together for a long time. Since we grew up playing together, we became a pretty tight-knit group. 

Strauss : What was the transition like to UCF?  

Miller : I thought the transition to UCF was pretty tough. Being away from home for the first time was tough. Also, playing college football and going to school was difficult. The hardest part was sitting out my freshmen year. I redshirted. I wanted to be on the field and having to sit on the sidelines watching was the worst part but probably the most beneficial to my career. having a year to learn what it took to be a successful college football player prepared me for the rest of my career.

Strauss : What is your favorite memory from UCF?

Miller : I have so many great memories from UCF. It is hard to narrow it down! I would have to start with my senior year. There were a lot of first for UCF football that year. It was first time for a top 25 Ranking. And, to get our first ever bowl game win, we beat the University of Georgia. I’m glad I had a chance to be a part of that! In addition, the first conference championship in 2007 as a red-shirt freshman. Probably, the most important memory to me is the relationships that were formed with my teammates, coaches, and the UCF fans throughout the years.

Strauss : What was it like to be Conference Defensive Player of the Year?

Miller : There were a lot of great players, not just in the conference but on our team. To be named the Conference-USA Defensive Player of the Year was definitely an honor and something I will not forget!

Strauss : What was the combine like? 

Miller : The combine was great because it was a chance to get to spend some time and to get to know a lot of talented players that you compete against!  However, it was a difficult and intense week. It was the total opposite of what I expected. With all of the tests, physicals, meetings, and interviews, it was a long week!

Strauss : What was your draft day experience like? 

Miller : It was the best and most nerve-wrecking weekend of my life. I always had the dream of playing in the NFL. Having put in the years of hard work to finally get to draft day and have no idea what was going to happen was pretty tough. When that phone call finally came, it was the greatest feeling of accomplishment and relief. Again, sharing that moment with friends and family was just awesome.

Strauss : What was your lockout experience like? 

Miller : The lockout was difficult because I wanted to get started with my NFL career. I just had to sit and wait for something that seemed like it was never going to end. The good part about the lockout was that I had a chance to rest my body from a long season and spring. I also had a chance to get out to California, and work out with some guys from the team.

Strauss : What was your preseason experience like with the 49ers? 

Miller : The preseason was a grind everyday. To compete at the highest level and to constantly have to be on top of your game was pretty stressful.  Also, making the transition to fullback and learning a new position, I was trying to take in as much as possible. It was a great experience to finally get started after the lockout, and to be a part of the 49ers organization. The best memory was playing against the Saints in the Louisiana Superdome and being on the field for my first NFL game.

Strauss : How early did you know that you would be making the switch to fullback?

Miller : I didn’t know until the 49ers called and told me that I would be playing fullback.

Strauss : What is the best part about the transition to fullback?

Miller : The best part about being a fullback is laying a block and watching the running back run down the field towards the end zone.

Strauss : What is the hardest part about the transition to fullback?

Miller : The hardest part was actually learning the playbook and learning how to block. It is completely different from the other side of the ball. 

Strauss : What’s Coach Harbaugh really like?

Miller : He’s great. He’s an awesome football coach who has tons of experience playing and coaching which I think really helps him relate to the players. We have a great staff that is awesome to work with.

Strauss : Who has had the most impact on your career? How? What have you learned from them?

Miller : A lot of people have had a major impact on my career starting with my family. They are always supporting and pushing me to be the best that I can be. My high school coaches, Mike O’Brien and Brent Budde. Of course, my college coaches George O’Leary, Dave Huxtable, and Jim Panagos. They gave me the opportunity to continue playing the game at each level and have a huge hand in molding the person and player that I am today. My teammates at UCF were also a big part because we collectively pushed each other on and off the field.

Strauss : If you could describe yourself as any ice cream flavor, what would you be and why? 

Miller : Rocky Road… It’s my favorite ice cream. 

Strauss : For someone who wants to play football in the NFL, do you have any advice for them? 

Miller : To just set goals and to continue to strive to achieve them. Always work hard. Never let anyone tell you that you can not do something!

Strauss : Thank you so much for your time Bruce!

Miller : Thanks for all of the continuous support. 

->Here are the personal questions that Bruce Miller answered.<-

Strauss : If you could meet anyone, who would it be and why? 

Miller : Will Ferrell. I’m a big fan of his. It would be fun to hang out with him and joke around with him for a little while.

Strauss : Who was your childhood star?

Miller : Terrell Davis. I used to play running back and he was the best. He also played at the University of Georgia, which at the time was my favorite team.

Strauss : What is your favorite TV Show? 

Miller : Of course it’s SportsCenter. I always catch up on highlight reels. I love watching Top 10.

Strauss : What is your favorite movie? 

Miller : Step Brothers. My brother and I are close in age and we always joke about that movie because we’ve shared some moments from that movie before.

Strauss : What is your favorite type of pie? 

Miller : Oreo Pie.

Strauss : What would be your last meal on earth?

Miller : Granny’s home made fried chicken, Mashed Potatoes, Mac N’ Cheese, fried okra, sweet tea, and fudge.