Eric Andrews | The Echo
Two of Taylor's own may soon be coming to a National Football League stadium near you. Last weekend, Michael Miller and Adam Sauder took one step closer to making that possibility a reality.
Following All-American performances during their senior seasons last fall, Miller and Sauder have earned the opportunity of a lifetime-pulling NFL jerseys over their heads.
Though both players went undrafted following last weekend's NFL Draft, Miller and Sauder have each gotten their foot in the door with NFL teams. Miller signed as an undrafted free agent with the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, while Sauder agreed Saturday to attend the Cincinnati Bengals' upcoming rookie camp.
Despite having talked to one of the Colts' positional coaches after the draft, Miller did not know the Colts had interest in him.
"I was a little confused because I thought I was going to try out in Dallas on Thursday," Miller said. "Next thing I know, my agent is calling me saying that there's no try out or anything, I'm just signed."
Miller finished his career as a wide receiver after splitting time between quarterback and wide receiver earlier in his time at Taylor. Miller's 6-foot-6-inch, 256-pound frame helped him reel in five touchdowns on 546 receiving yards this season.
Despite his noticeable size and skill, Miller acknowledges that it is not by his work that he is in the position he is in today, something he hopes he can show on the big stage of the NFL.
"Obviously I couldn't do it on my own," Miller said. "That's not me that's gotten me here, but it's Christ that's gotten me here."
Upon the advice of many NFL scouts and coaches, Miller will transition to playing tight end in his professional career, despite having never previously played the position. Miller will wear number 49 with the Colts and will participate in the Colts' rookie camp, which runs today through Sunday.
Sauder, a two-time NAIA First-Team All-American, graduated from Taylor in December with a degree in marketing and spent much of the last few months training in Arizona to prepare for his professional career.
Sauder participated in the NFL Regional Combine in Arizona in February and took part in the Pro Days held at Purdue and Ball State in March.
Leading up to the draft, Sauder was informed by the New York Jets that he was on their draft board for the seventh round of the draft. The draft day call never came.
"There was a thought that I could have gone there, but as the day turned out, it didn't work out for me to end up there," Sauder said.
Having worked out for many NFL scouts over the last few months, Sauder hoped he had made a good enough impression to be given an opportunity as a free agent. Sauder anxiously awaited a phone call from his agent.
Sauder received the phone call later on Saturday, albeit in a rather unconventional setting.
"I was actually at my cousin's wedding out in Illinois," Sauder said. "My agent called me and told me that the Bengals wanted to invite me to their rookie camp. A little bit later, one of their coaches ended up calling me to confirm it."
The 6-foot-3-inch, 220-pound safety finished his Taylor career with 364 tackles and nine interceptions, including two interceptions returned for touchdowns.
Sauder's well-rounded game impressed Taylor football head coach Ron Korfmacher during Sauder's time at Taylor.
"Adam is such a complete player," Korfmacher said. "Defensively, from run, pass, he's a big hitter, he plays special teams, great ball skills. There's much to be impressed about."
Sauder will participate in the Bengals' rookie camp that runs today through Sunday, hoping to earn himself a contract with Cincinnati to advance his professional career.
Taylor football assistant coach Greg Wolfe noted that Miller's and Sauder's accomplishments go beyond just football.
"They're incredible guys to represent Taylor," Wolfe said. "The athletic department and the school as a whole should be happy we have guys who are going into a rookie camp, but also delighted that they'll, to a great degree, represent the mission of Taylor as well."
"Photography by Fayth Glock"
