Wake Forest Lands Preferred Walk-On Connor Miller: What It Means

Connor Miller will not begin his career at Wake Forest University as a scholarship player, but that doesn't mean that his commitment is insignificant. Miller is a 6'2", 225-pound linebacker out of Charlotte Catholic. He helped lead his team to a 15-0 record and 4A State Championship this past fall. Tonight, he announced that he has committed to join the Wake Forest football program as a preferred walk-on. What does that mean for the Deacs?

Very excited to announce that I have committed to Wake Forest University! #GoDeacs pic.twitter.com/kKCzNTB091

— Connor Miller (@ConMiller6) February 2, 2016

Preferred walk-ons are players that don't typically get a lot of hype around National Signing Day. Most of the hype is around the 4 and 5-star recruits who remain uncommitted and will announce at hat picking ceremonies on Wednesday. While the commitment of Miller doesn't warrant that hype, it's still an excellent addition to the Wake Forest program for a number of reasons.

Miller isn't a standard walk-on. He also held offers from Appalachian State, Army, Navy, and Toledo, among others. The fact that Wake can beat out those schools for a recruit without being able to offer a scholarship, is a positive sign. Those offers, plus his highlights, show that he can legitimately play. He may also help establish a relationship with a very good program in Charlotte Catholic.

He adds free depth to the roster. He can be redshirted and developed. It's possible that he earns a scholarship later on in his career, much like Hunter Williams did. That Wake essentially has an extra scholarship player is a great development, and hopefully a sign of a positive trend that Clawson and his staff can sustain. In football, plenty of injuries happen, and teams need to have as much depth as possible. Also, the fact that Miller was not offered a scholarship by Wake tells fans a lot about what Clawson and his staff think of the players in the 2016 class.

National Signing Day is so close. Blogger So Dear will have all of the Wake Forest football recruiting coverage that you need.