2014 NFL Draft: Pre-Season Breakdown – Trey Millard, FB Oklahoma

Aug 31, 2013; Norman, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners fullback Trey Millard (33) runs through a tackle attempt by UL Monroe Warhawks defensive end Darius Lively (95) during the first half at Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports

Trey Millard is a unique weapon for the Oklahoma Sooners because he is a Swiss army knife that can be used in so many different facets of the offense.  He can be described as a fullback or an H-Back and even has some experience as an inline tight end but he can also be a threat with the ball in his hands as a ball carrier.  Part of the reason he is so effective is because the Sooners are so willing to allow him play in so many roles, create a difficult matchup to defend, and always seem to be looking for new ways to get involved in the offense.  As a junior, Millard carried the ball 33 times for 198 yards while catching 30 passes for 337 yards and 4 touchdowns.

Millard can do as much as a team will allow.  He can run the ball as a huge back, go out and run routes like an H-Back and lead block, though he can improve as a blocker.  Millard’s utility might be increasing by the day as more NFL teams are employing a pistol into their playbook.  As the back next to the quarterback, he can easily contribute as a blocker, runner or receiver at any given time.  For teams willing to take full advantage of what he can do, Millard appears to be a fringe top 100 pick and if he can improve as a blocker, he might become a top 100 pick and regarded more as a tight end than he is a fullback.

Vitals & Build

Millard is listed at 6’2” 256lbs and really does look like an enormous running back.  He is extremely fluid in his movements and has pretty good agility and overall athleticism.  Millard shows good functional strength and has more speed than people might realize.  It is hard to imagine he can get that much bigger based on the listed weight, but he does not appear to be maxed out.  The method he ultimately chooses to go with as far as his training goes will be interesting.  He could focus on bulking up, working to get faster, more fluid, or some combination of those that could allow him to be more of a threat.

Running Style

Millard is not simply a dump truck who just looks wrap both arms around the football, lower his shoulder and drive until the defense rides him to the ground.  He is extremely comfortable with the ball in his hands and looks like a half back running the football.  Millard is a back who run in between the tackles, plant his foot in the ground and make an athletic cut.  Certainly, he can use power and will run opponents over if they are not careful, but he has enough athleticism to keep defenders honest.  Like some other big backs, Millard is a runner who will see an opponent go low in an attempt to get him down by his legs and then go with the high hurdle to jump over them.

While opponents can run him down from behind, Millard has enough speed where if he has open field, he can make a team pay.

Route Running & Technique

The Sooners are extremely aggressive with how they use Millard in the passing game.  Because of the wide range of ways they line him up, he has experience running a decent sized route tree.  From plays as simple as play action followed by a screen and simple swing passes to lining up as a tight end and having him attack down the seam.  His natural athleticism shows through and he is able to move really well in his routes.

That said, he could work to be more disciplined in some of his routes as Oklahoma is usually content with players attacking areas of the field instead of worrying about precise footwork and cuts.  Millard shows a tremendous amount of ability and should be able to transition quickly to the NFL in that regard.

Hands

Millard is relatively natural with his hands and is not afraid to snatch the ball out of the air, avoiding letting many passes get into his body.  He demonstrates a pretty good catch radius for his position and can contort himself effectively to make some catches easier.  There are times when he appears to start picking up extra yards before he has secured the catch that result in a drop, but for the most part, he does a good job and should prove a reliable outlet option for quarterbacks at the next level.

Blocking

Millard has the ability to be a great blocker and there are some fantastic blocks he makes both in the hole to take on the boss block or going out to seal the edge.  There are times when he can blow open holes and really make an impact to help lead to big plays, but he is inconsistent.  For all the times Millard blocks the right way, there are times when he takes questionable angles, attacks the wrong shoulder, and worst of all, puts his head down when trying to engage.  He could also work to do a better of locking and driving with his feet more but if he just lands the blocks with technique consistently and eliminates the bad habits, Millard can be a dominating presence.

System Fit

Millard can fit in any system, but the teams that will take the most advantage of his wide array of skills are likely to employ the pistol or formations that work in a similar manner.  The pistol is a great example because he can block, carry the ball or go out for a pass easily, but that is certainly not the only one.  He could work as a lead back in an I-formation if he needed.  The key for Millard is putting him with a coach that will use him the way Bob Stoops has in Norman.  Millard can be a tremendous asset for a team willing to take advantage of all he can do.

Schedule

Notable Games

Notre Dame and TCU are two of the best defenses Oklahoma will face all season.   In addition to being talented, they are teams that have the ability to really match what Millard can bring in terms of his athleticism but also his power.  He will have his hands full in both games and Millard could end up being a big difference maker in those games by being a huge X-factor.  After that, Millard will have his last shot at Texas in the Red River Rivalry.  Millard is part of a class that has never lost to the Longhorns and certainly, he will be looking to go out undefeated.

NFL Comparison

Millard’s game might be similar to Delanie Walker, now of the Tennessee Titans.  Walker came into the league as a sixth round pick and became a great utility player to work opposite Vernon Davis.  As a result, he ended up in a number of different roles.  Millard is a bigger and potentially more athletic version of Walker, which could be extremely valuable to a team that knows how to use him.

Draft Projection

Millard has the ability to contribute in so many ways and can be an immediate difference maker if paired with the right team.  While he can still work to polish some of his ability, especially when it comes to blocking, he is a triple threat.  He is a running back, fullback, and H-back all in one and is able to be extremely effective in all three areas.  Millard might be a fringe top 100 pick but that could be conservative with all he can bring to a team, but he could easily work himself into the top 100 picks and might end up surprising people with how he can go.