UNC Football: Tre Miller’s Progress Cannot Be Hidden

Everyone will be watching Billy Edwards. Bill Belichick will get plenty of attention. Bobby Petrino will be under the microscope. But if UNC is going to have a chance against TCU on Saturday, there are going to be players who make an impact without receiving nearly as much attention.

Tre Miller could be one of them.

The fourth-year cornerback enters the season with more experience and a bigger opportunity in the Tar Heels' secondary. Miller has worked to add physicality to his game, and that could be particularly important against a TCU offense capable of putting pressure on UNC's secondary.

There is, however, something different about playing cornerback: you can't hide.

A linebacker can have a quiet afternoon and still make an impact that doesn't immediately jump off the stat sheet. A defensive lineman can occupy a blocker and create an opportunity for someone else. But a cornerback eventually has to line up across from somebody, and when that ball is in the air, there are 60,000 people watching to see who wins.

That's why Miller could be one of UNC's most important unsung players Saturday.

TCU is going to test the Tar Heels' secondary. The Horned Frogs don't have to throw at Miller every time, but eventually they will have to decide whether they believe they can win against him. If Miller can consistently stay in position, tackle when the ball is underneath and prevent explosive plays, he can make life considerably easier for the rest of UNC's defense.

He doesn't need three interceptions to have a good game. In fact, one of the best compliments a corner can receive is for the quarterback to simply stop looking his way.

Miller has been in the program through the transition from Mack Brown to Bill Belichick. After a season last year which has been defined as a learning opportunity, he has a game in front of all of college football to show that experience has translated into development.

And unlike some positions, there won't be anywhere for that progress to hide.

If Tre Miller has taken the step UNC needs him to take, we'll know Saturday.