USC Running Back King Miller Doesn't Hold Back About Under-Recruited Journey

Former walk-on turned scholarship running back, USC Trojans star King Miller reflected back on this recruitment out of Calabasas High in his conversation with USC Trojans on SI.

USC Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley and defensive line coach Shaun Nua celebrate on the sideline. | Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

USC Trojans running back King Miller never piled up scholarship offers. This despite playing at a school known to attract college football coaches.

Miller racked up 1,587 rushing yards and scored 15 touchdowns during his senior campaign at Calabasas High. But still the big-name offers never arrived.

Nov 7, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans running back King Miller (30) runs the ball against Northwestern Wildcats linebacker Mac Uihlein (37) during the first half at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images | Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

College football fans now know what became of Miller after his prep career. He's risen as the latest new beloved walk-on story in Southern California. Few, however, never learned his true feelings about going under-recruited.

King Miller Looks Back on Recruitment Journey

Miller entered the Bashor Lounge inside Heritage Hall all smiles on USC's Media Day for Aug. 3. Now he's one of the star attractions for a program facing immense expectations and feeling confident about the product they can put forth this season under coach Lincoln Riley.

Except Miller landed on a team featuring past five and four-star talents. Plus teammates who stacked higher than 20 offers during their prep careers. These type of players often make a walk-on feel out of place.

But that wasn't the case for Miller as he reflected back on his recruiting journey with Lorenzo Reyna of USC Trojans on SI.

"I wouldn't say it was frustrating at all," Miller began. "Everything was a lesson. Especially when you feel like you have a lot more talent than what you see all around you. Including the guys getting recruited."

King Miller has no Complaints now

USC running back King Miller | Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

Miller chose a head down, chest up and driven attitude while his peers piled up the four-year opportunities.

Then he bet on himself in enrolling at USC and choosing the walk-on path. He eventually flashed his potential early during mop-up duty against Missouri State in carrying the ball four times for 80 yards and scoring once. He followed with compiling 18.3 yards per game and scoring once against Georgia Southern the following week.

But then the CFB world became introduced to USC's non-scholarship talent on Oct. 11 with Michigan in town. Miller exposed cracks in the Wolverines defense to put together a stunning 18-carry, 158-yard night in the 31-13 rout. He went on to add three more 100-yard outings; all against Big Ten foes in Nebraska (129 yards), Northwestern (127) and UCLA (124).

As for his "frustrating" recruiting process...

"It put me here," Miller said, smiling on his journey to USC. "Can't really complain when you're here."

Breakthrough Imminent for King Miller

Sep 6, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; USC Trojans running back King Miller (30) carries the ball down the field for a touchdown in the second half against the Georgia Southern Eagles at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The secret's out on Miller. Yet 2025 comes off as a small sample size of his true potential.

He now has a more seasoned offensive line to work with this fall, which he says has a tight bond with the backfield. Even the loss of center Kilian O'Connor doesn't plan to deter the Trojans with veteran Tobias Raymond likely sliding to his vacated spot.

Miller now believes he's become more cerebral as a running back, explaining he can "see different coverages and formations" more clearly compared to his prep run. He also believes last season was just a sneak peek of his stardom.

"Stepping point for me," Miller said. "I just want to grow and grow. There's no limits to what I want to do."

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