On the Plains with Izavion Miller: 'No place like Jordan-Hare'

After he’s pancaked his last D-lineman or flattened a linebacker for the final time, senior offensive lineman Izavion Miller knows what’s next.

“I want to be a coach in high school,” Miller said without a moment’s hesitation about the profession, the level or the location. “I want to go back to my hometown in Memphis and help some kids out like my high school coach helped me get to the next level.”

Former Wooddale High School coach Jerome Griffin not only gave Miller a nickname that stuck – ‘Too Tall’ – he also helped paved Izavion’s path to Auburn via Southwest Mississippi Community College. 

“He put my film together, talked to coaches for me, got me in the right position,” Miller recalled. “If I can help a kid like that, I’m willing to do it.”

Miller graduated from high school in 2021 after his senior season was interrupted during the pandemic.

“It was Covid. I had nothing to do, nothing going for myself,” Miller remembered. “Then I get a phone call saying I have a chance to go to a Juco school for two years. I’m like, ‘I’ll take that risk,’ and it paid off.”

After earning NJCAA all-region and all-Mississippi Association of Community Colleges Conference (MACCC) honors, Miller arrived at Auburn before the 2023 season, quickly earning the starting position at right tackle. 

“I love the game of football,” Miller said. “I love it. I love the physicality – being physical and being free out there on the field. The game is deep in my heart. Competing with the guys every day. Getting better as a team.”

Miller’s zest for competition brought him back for his third season at Auburn, where he’s competing with transfer tackles Mason Murphy and Xavier Chaplin.

“The competition,” Miller said. “When I heard we were bringing in two tackles, I saw a chance to compete, and I came back. Competing with Mason and X, trying to get a spot.”

Remembering what it’s like to be the new face in the offensive linemen room, Miller mentors Auburn’s newcomers. 

“Helping the freshmen coming up,” he said. “It’s kind of nerve-racking. You never know what to expect. With the right guys to help you and lead you, it can be pretty easy. Tai Buster and all of the guys behind me.” 

After two seasons at right tackle, Miller transitioned to left tackle, a move he hopes will pay off at the professional level.

“It’s creating value,” Miller said. “I was starting at right tackle the past two years so for me to be a left tackle and get some more value at another position, it’s pretty good.”

Listed at 6-5, 311 pounds, Miller spent the offseason training and fueling for his third SEC season while approaching the finish line of his Auburn University interdisciplinary studies degree with emphases on leadership and sports communication. 

“It’s going to be really special,” Miller said of his summer commencement. “I’ve been working all my life to get a degree.”

Entering his third season on the Plains under head coach Hugh Freeze and offensive line coach Jake Thornton, Miller hopes to help that continuity and stability translate into competing for a College Football Playoff spot. 

“I’ve been here the last two years and we’ve been fighting tooth and nail for every win that we’ve had,” Miller said. “For us to get a winning season and a championship, we want it. It’s going to be really special if we can get there.”

Reflecting on his first two seasons, one night stands out above the rest. 

“That Texas A&M game,” Miller said of Auburn’s dramatic 43-41 victory over the No. 15 Aggies last November. “When we went to four overtimes and they stormed that field. That was pretty special. I had never felt anything like that. That place is always rocking. There’s no place like Jordan-Hare.”

A month earlier, Miller earned SEC offensive lineman of the week honors after helping Jarquez Hunter rush for 278 yards in Auburn’s 24-10 win at Kentucky, the fourth most yards in program history. 

Similar to his lightning-fast answer about one day becoming a coach, Izavion ‘Too Tall’ Miller is ready with a quick response when asked what he wants Auburn fans to know about him.

“I’m a great person. I love football. Love my teammates,” Miller said. “Trying to get this win. Trying to get a championship.”

Jeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on X: @jeff_shearer