Zach Miller

Zachary Scott Miller (born October 4, 1984) is a former American football tight end.

He played quarterback and tight end in college at the University of Nebraska-Omaha.

One week later, Miller caught five passes for 107 yards, including an 87-yard touchdown pass from Cutler, en route to a 37–13 win over the St. Louis Rams; the catch was the longest by a tight end since Byron Chamberlain's 88-yard play in 1999 and the longest touchdown reception by a Chicago Bear since Matt Forte's 89-yard rush in 2010.

In 2002, Bishop Neumann won the Class C-1 state championship when they defeated Gothenburg High School 28–13 in the title game; after having –8 rushing yards in the first half, Miller recorded 149 rushing yards and two touchdowns to lead the Cavaliers to their first title since 1977.

He ended the year with school records in passing (1,200) and rushing yards (980).

Miller initially attended the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, where he was a walk-on for the Nebraska Cornhuskers football team.

After redshirting his freshman year, he decided to transfer to the University of Nebraska–Omaha in December 2004.

At Nebraska–Omaha, he joined the Division II Nebraska–Omaha Mavericks football team.

During the 2005 season, he started as backup, and alternated at quarterback from mid-season on.

He threw for 322 yards and one touchdown, and rushed for 141 yards on 29 carries, scoring three touchdowns.

In 2006, he was a regional finalist for the Harlon Hill Trophy.

He was named NCC offensive player of the week three times.

He rushed for 1098 yards and scored 19 touchdowns, being named the NCC Offensive MVP.

He finished his college career with 4,096 passing yards and 26 passing touchdowns, along with 3,122 career rushing yards and a school-record 50 touchdowns.

He was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the sixth round of the 2009 NFL Draft.

During his NFL career, Miller struggled with various injuries that prevented him from significant playing time.

From 2009 to 2011 with the Jaguars, he started only five games with 33 appearances, followed by a brief stint with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers that also resulted in injury.

He played tight end in the 2009 Division II All-Star Game, the Valero Cactus Bowl.

Miller was selected in the sixth round (180th overall) of the 2009 NFL Draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Afterwards, he was converted from quarterback to tight end.

He was the first member of his team's draft class to sign a contract with the team, doing so on June 30.

In his first two seasons, he played in 29 games, but suffered a dislocated shoulder in 2011 that ruled him out for the year.

The following year, he partially tore his Achilles tendon and calf muscle, and was placed on injured reserve on September 1.

In Week 9, against the San Diego Chargers, Miller caught Jay Cutler's 25-yard pass with one hand to score the game-winning touchdown; it was Miller's first NFL touchdown since 2011.

He was waived from injured reserve on October 16, 2012; he ended his Jacksonville stint with 33 games played and five starts.

On January 3, 2013, Miller signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

After suffering a concussion in the preseason, he was released by the team on August 27.

On December 30, 2013, Miller was signed by the Chicago Bears to a reserve/future contract.

He joined the Chicago Bears in 2014, where he was on injured reserve during his first season.

During the 2014 preseason, he recorded two touchdowns against the Philadelphia Eagles before sustaining a Lisfranc injury to his left foot in the following game.

He was placed on injured reserve.

In 2015, Miller enjoyed a breakout season as he appeared in 16 games and recorded five touchdowns, but had further season-ending injuries in subsequent years.

Miller returned to the team for the 2015 season on a one-year extension.

He ended the 2015 season with 34 receptions for 439 yards and a team-high five touchdowns.

In a 2017 game against the New Orleans Saints, he dislocated his knee while attempting to catch a potential touchdown pass.

The injury was severe and threatened potential leg amputation, but successful surgeries saved the limb.

He retired from football in April 2019 after missing the entire 2018 season.

As a three-sport athlete at Bishop Neumann High School in Wahoo, Nebraska, Miller earned all-state honors as a senior and earned honorable mention all-state honors in basketball.

He also won two state basketball championships with Bishop Neumann.

In football, Miller only played on the varsity team during his senior year, having broken his collarbone twice in his junior year.