Corey Miller ready to enroll at UT

ORLANDO, Fla. — Neither a NCAA’s probe nor the subsequent national media coverage affected Corey Miller’s commitment.

The speed rushing defensive end from Byrnes High School in Duncan, S.C., said he has every intention of enrolling at Tennessee on Jan. 10 despite the NCAA's review of the Vols' use of recruiting hostesses.

"It's not a big deal," the 6-foot-4, 230-pounder said. "I'm not looking at anybody else. I'm not even worried about the situation at all. It's been kind of hectic, but you know how that goes when the media gets a hold of things."

Miller, who is rated the 27th- and 80th-best prospect in the nation by Rivals.com and Scout.com, respectively, found himself at the center of a media maelstrom earlier this month when news broke that two UT hostesses traveled to his hometown to watch Miller and defensive end teammate Brandon Willis play in a high school game.

If the hostesses traveled on their own accord, the Vols would likely be cited with a secondary violation. The violation would be more severe if it were proved that UT's coaches sent the hostesses to visit the prospects.

The Miller family has long denied that UT's coaches had anything to do with the trip, that the four are just friends who met during a visit Miller and Willis took to Knoxville in September.

Yet the questions surrounding Miller's recruitment have sent other schools into action. Miami, North Carolina, Florida and Auburn have all come calling to see just how committed Miller is to UT.

"It's just something you're used to," Miller said. "I'm just taking it a day at a time. I'm just ready to get into college."

And that college is UT. Miller has never wavered on his July commitment to be a Vol.

"I used to hate them actually when Phil Fulmer was coaching there," said Miller, who had 146 tackles and 18 sacks last season. "It was kind of slow paced. I didn't like it. Lane Kiffin came in, and the rest of the coaching staff - Ed Orgeron and (defensive coordinator) Monte Kiffin - they changed the whole philosophy. That got my attention."

Miller has been particularly impressed with Orgeron's track record. The longtime defensive line coach has a long history of turning college defenders into NFL players.

Miller needs look no further than this season to see an example. Dan Williams has gone from an oft-overweight defensive tackle to a highly thought of NFL prospect.

"It definitely caught my attention," Miller said. "You see what (Orgeron) can do for different players. One example is Big Dan, how he changed Dan from last year to this year.

"Now, Dan is one of the top prospects for the draft this year. You can see what he can do for you. That's something I want to be a part of."

It's unclear if the Vols will get the package deal they once expected when Miller and Willis committed together.

The two seem to have grown apart. Willis' family moved to Jacksonville and most think he could be considering other options, including North Carolina and Miami.

Miller said the two have barely talked since the Shrine Bowl in mid-December.

"I'm not sure what's going on with him," Miller said.

Miller, however, made it clear that Willis' destination won't affect his decision. He's bound for UT, soon after he competes in the Under Armour All-American Game on Saturday.

"They've got the top players in the nation," Miller said, "so it should be pretty fun."