A mainstay on the Boise State offensive line, Tad Miller started every game that he played in during his career. Only a torn medial collateral ligament and partial meniscus tear in his right knee in the 2007 regular-season finale vs. Hawaii prevented the talented left guard from sharing a piece of the school consecutive starts record.

Along with offensive tackle Ryan Clady, Miller paved the way for one of the nation's most explosive offenses. More than 65% of the team's rushing yardage (3,376-of-5,188 yards) was gained over the left side of the Broncos' front wall, where both Miller and Clady lined up.

The local product attended Bishop Kelly High School, where he was a three-year starter on the offensive line. He was named first-team All-State as a senior and second-team All-State as a junior, adding first-team All-Southern Idaho Conference honors twice.

Miller lettered in football three times and basketball twice. He was a member of the National Honor Society, the Bishop Kelly Honor Roll, and was named academic first-team in baseball. He was selected one of Idaho's top scholar-athletes by the Southern Idaho Chapter of the National Football Foundation and Hall of Fame. He also belonged to the Key Club, Varsity Club and History Club.

After rejecting scholarship offers from Utah, Utah State, Idaho and Air Force, Miller enrolled at Boise State in 2003, playing on the scout team. He took over left guard duties in 2004, making 54 knockdowns to helped the Broncos finish second in the nation in scoring (48.9) and fourth in total offense (492.7).

As a sophomore, Miller registered seven touchdown-resulting blocks and 68 knockdowns. The front wall allowed just 19 quarterback sacks on 390 pass plays. The offense ranked ninth in the nation in scoring (36.08 points per game) and fifth with 36 touchdowns on the ground.

Miller continued his dominance in the trenches in 2006, coming up with 86 knockdowns, as he also helped with nine touchdown-resulting blocks for a rushing attack that piled up 214.2 yards per game, the second-best average in the Western Athletic Conference.

The senior left guard received All-Western Athletic Conference second-team honors in 2007. He started the first 12 games before suffering his knee injury, collecting 97 knockdowns for an offense that generated 6,076 yards, the ninth-best total in the NCAA.

Miller suffered the injury in the first quarter when a Hawaii defensive lineman fell on his right knee. Doctors first feared that his career would be over, but an MRI revealed just a torn medial collateral ligament and partial meniscus tear, but there was no structural damage to his anterior cruciate ligament, which would have added months to his rehabilitation process.

Two months after Dec. 26 surgery, Miller was working out for pro scouts on a limited basis. "They thought it was football done and the whole shebang," Miller said.

"When it happened, I never thought I'd be playing football again."

"Tad's one of those guys I'd think the NFL would really like because he's got that tough attitude, that mean demeanor," said former Broncos quarterback Taylor Tharp, who was Miller's teammate for five years. "We all know he's a softy, but he plays real physical. If he can get himself in a door and get in a camp, I think he'll do really well."

Positives: Has a thick, barrel chest with solid upper-body development, but shorter-than-ideal arms … Has a compact frame that is at maximum growth potential, but shows good strength with his hands to lock on and wash the defender out of the play … Hard-nosed player with good aggression, battling until the whistle … Needs to keep his hands inside his frame, but when he lands low with them, he can rock defenders back on their heels … Undersized blocker who compensates with good overall power and fierce determination … Has an adequate initial step to come out of his stance forcefully, driving with his legs to steer his man wide … Plays with a tenacious attitude and shows good hand punch to widen and maintain holes for the ground game … Could shift to center at the pro level due to his proper arm extension and ability in pass protection, showing the ability to lock out the defender in-line … Has a good understanding of blocking angles in order to seal and wall off, but is best working on the line … Does a nice job of coming off the initial block to work downfield … Gains advantage on defenders with his leg drive, and stays with his assignment when the battle gets heated … Generally positions himself properly and sustains his blocks at the line of scrimmage … Adequate trap blocker who is very comfortable operating within the box … Creates separation with his hands and anchors firmly at the point of attack.

Negatives: Lacks ideal height and possesses short arms (30 ¾-inch length) … Recent knee injury will prevent him from fully participating in agility tests prior to the draft … Has limited change-of-direction agility and very stiff hips, looking robotic in his movements when asked to pull and trap … Does not have any more room on his frame for additional bulk and more weight would affect his already marginal foot speed … Lacks leverage to move defenders off the ball, as he struggles to sink his weight, getting too tall in his stance to create movement off the snap … Must keep his pads down in order to be more effective in pass protection … His lack of flexibility is evident when he continues to lean into defenders rather than reach and he struggles to sustain … Liability when having to move to the second level … Has balance issues and crosses his feet too often to redirect fluidly.

Compares To: DAN CONNOLLY-New England … Miller lacks athletic ability, but is a good stay-at-home type mauler who works well in unison with the center and tackle on combo blocks. He has good hand strength, but struggles on the move. He is not the type that can be expected to develop into a starter, but is at least worth a look for the developmental squad, as he is a tenacious blocker with a solid work ethic. With the success that the Patriots have had in developing blue-collar types, he might be worth a long look as a camp player.

Suffered a medial collateral ligament tear and a partially torn meniscus in his right knee in the first quarter vs. Hawaii (11/23), undergoing surgery on Dec. 26.

Campus: 5.6 in the 40-yard dash … 365-pound bench press … Bench pressed 225 pounds 20 times … 20-inch vertical jump … 30 ¾-inch arm length … 9 ½-inch hands … Left handed … 22/43 Wonderlic score.

Attended Bishop Kelly (Boise, Idaho) High School, playing football for head coach Tim Brennan … Three-year starter on the offensive line … Named first-team All-State as a senior and second-team All-State as a junior, adding first-team All-Southern Idaho Conference honors twice … Lettered in football three times and basketball twice … Member of the National Honor Society, the Bishop Kelly Honor Roll, and was named academic first-team in baseball … Selected one of Idaho's top scholar-athletes by the Southern Idaho Chapter of the National Football Foundation and Hall of Fame … Also belonged to the Key Club, Varsity Club and History Club.

Criminal Justice major … Born 4/04/85 … Resides in Boise, Idaho.