Cornerback D.J. Miller Jr., a 25-year-old undrafted talent from O'Fallon, Missouri, is channeling his recent NFL preseason experience with the Detroit Lions into high hopes for the Columbus Aviators' debut UFL campaign. The Kent State alum will be entering his 2nd UFL season after a solid 2025 stint with the Michigan Panthers (34 total tackles and 1 interception).
At UFL Media Day on Friday, Miller reflected on his most recent time in the NFL with the Detroit Lions in the 2025 preseason. Miller was asked if he felt like a bit of a different person after his experience with the Detroit Lions:
"Oh, absolutely. I feel like I'm a way better player," Miller said. "I got a lot of good football experience up there. I love the coaches. Like, just seeing the vets up there, the guys, the culture, man, like, truly a great experience for me, especially seeing face to face with DJ Reed. I was sitting right next to him. I got a chance to learn from him. A great vet, great player, and an even better guy, truly. So, yeah, man, I'm excited for this season. A way better player. Know a little bit more than I did last year and excited to put it out there on its way."
On the transitional offseason of the Michigan Panthers moving to Columbus, the changes haven’t seemed to faze Miller, who spoke highly of new head coach Ted Ginn Jr and defensive coordinator Captain Munnerlyn.
"It's been great, man. I'm always up for a new challenge, a new system, a new coaching staff. Like, love it, man. Coach Ginn has been great. A vet through and through. Like, he's a Ohio State legend, a Panthers legend. Who wouldn't wanna have him as a coach? And then on the defensive side, Captain, just having him as a vet too and guys who have played a long time in the league and know what it takes to get to that level and stay at that level has been huge, man. So just learning from them, observing from them, and taking what I can and applying it into my game has been just truly a blessing."
Echoing Munnerlyn's praise from his own Media Day session, Miller called the Aviators' DB room elite, naming vets and rising stars.
"Everybody has talent in that secondary, man. Like, it's truly one of the best rooms that I've been a part of.” Miller stated of his teammates in the secondary. “It's one of the most talented rooms that I've been a part of. So I'm excited to be a part of the team, man, and excited to strap things back up on that back end, man."
Miller was asked on what he is focused on personally this year, following his time in the NFL.
"Honestly, just the developmental piece of the game, like, really being sticky in coverage, allowing minimum separation, no separation, and just the little aspects of the game. Like, just technique in and out, snap in, snap out. Like, is it the same from first quarter to fourth quarter. Really making sure my steps are right, my hands are right, my eyes are right, my brakes are right, and just really harping on those details, man. And that's something that I'm really looking forward to and seeing how that plays out."
D.J. Miller will look to help enforce a no-fly zone for the Columbus Aviators in their inaugural season, which will begin on March 29 on the road against the Orlando Storm. Their first home game will be on April 3 against the DC Defenders.