Trey Millard Looks to Become Multi-Threat Fullback at Next Level

Had it not been for injury, Millard might be the best fullback in this year's draft class.

It doesn't take long for Trey Millard to recall the most memorable highlight-reel play of his college career.

"One against Texas two years ago," said Millard at the NFL Combine. "I hurdled and trucked a guy at the same time."

The play provided a glimpse of what the Oklahoma fullback can provide a football team: the strength to bowl defenders over and the skill to be a threat with the ball in his hands.

In an era where the traditional I-formation, lead-blocking fullback is becoming an endangered species, Millard has evolved and adapted into something versatile and even valuable.

Millard is the total package, a hybrid fullback/H-back/running back/slot back/wing back/tight end.

It doesn't matter the label you put on him, Millard has the ability to fill more than one role—and that's before even getting to his extensive special teams experience on kickoff coverage, kickoff return and punt coverage. He made 32 tackles at Oklahoma, exactly half of them coming his  sophomore season.

"It depends on whatever team picks me, where they want to fit me in," said Millard.

As a blocker, Millard uses former Packers fullback Vonta Leach as a model of how to lock onto an opponent, shield them and direct them away from the action.

A three-time first-team All-Big 12 selection, Millard was Oklahoma's primary starter at fullback for the majority of his four years in college and stayed largely healthy prior to his senior season despite playing at a high-impact position.

If it wasn't for a torn ACL in October of 2013, Millard might be considered the top fullback available in this year's draft class. His job as it currently stands is focusing on rehabbing to get back to a level where he was pre-injury.

Over the course of his career, Millard has touched the ball 168 times from scrimmage for 1,215 yards and 13 touchdowns. His average of 7.2 yards per touch is remarkable for player measuring in at 6' 2" and 247 lbs. at the Combine, lighter than the 255 lbs. he typical playing weight of 255 lbs.

Millard wasn't able to participate in drills at either the Combine or his pro day but expects to be healthy and ready to suit up by the time training camp starts.

When that time comes, Millard expects to stay on the same upward trend he's been on as a blocker for several years.

"I guess it started in high school," said Millard. "I was a fullback before I became a running back in high school. And then it was getting back to that mode, great coaches that helped me along the way at OU to continue growing as a blocker and just continue to improve."

Photo: Oklahoma fullback Trey Millard by Brian Carriveau.

0 points
 

Comments (3)

Fan-Friendly This filter will hide comments which have ratio of 5 to 1 down-vote to up-vote.
Handsback's picture

April 30, 2014 at 08:48 am

I would love to see Green Bay take him in the later rounds. He would be an athletic FB that could be a great relief valve pass catcher for ARod. He could take a swing pass to the house!

0 points
0
0
BradHTX's picture

April 30, 2014 at 10:25 pm

Every time I read anything about Vonta Leach, I wonder hey we let him go after only three seasons. Took him until his seventh to make the Pro Bowl. Guess some players are late bloomers; sometimes worth waiting a few seasons before declaring someone a bust.

0 points
0
0
BradHTX's picture

April 30, 2014 at 10:26 pm

*why

Damn you, AutoCorrect!

0 points
0
0