Ryan Miller Bio
Ryan McKnight Miller, born on February 20, 2000, is an American professional football wide receiver for the New York Giants of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighing around 220 pounds, he combines the frame of a tight end with the route-running skills of a pass catcher. He played college football for the Furman Paladins and entered the NFL in 2023 as an undrafted free agent with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Early Life and Background
Ryan McKnight Miller was born in Jackson, Tennessee, on February 20, 2000. He was raised in a family with a deep athletic heritage. His father and grandfather each played college baseball, while his other grandfather played college tennis, and his mother was a cheerleader. This blend of multi-sport experience shaped Miller’s early understanding of competitive sports and teamwork.
He attended the University School of Jackson, where he lettered in football, basketball, and track, and was also a member of the school band. On the football field, Miller was used at wide receiver, tight end, middle linebacker, running back, and defensive end. As a senior captain, he was a three-time all-district selection, a two-time all-state and All-West Tennessee pick, and totaled 69 receptions for 1,149 yards and eight touchdowns along with 520 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns, finishing his high school career with 82 receptions for 1,529 yards and 18 touchdowns.
A two-star recruit, Miller chose to play college football for the Furman Paladins over four other scholarship offers. His versatility and production at the high school level made him an attractive prospect despite his modest recruiting ranking.
Path to American Football
Miller enrolled at Furman University and quickly worked his way into the Paladins’ offensive plans. As a true freshman in 2018, he appeared in nine games with one start, recording 10 receptions for 144 yards. He started all 11 games in 2019, making 11 receptions for 237 yards and three touchdowns, and established himself as a reliable pass catcher in the Southern Conference (SoCon).
In the COVID-19-impacted 2020 season, Miller earned first-team All-American honors from the Associated Press and first-team All-SoCon recognition after hauling in 15 catches for 254 yards and six touchdowns in just seven games. He then repeated as an All-American and first-team All-SoCon selection in 2021, posting 43 receptions for 749 yards and seven scores while placing third in the conference in yards per catch, touchdown catches, and receiving yards. His senior season in 2022 saw him lead Furman with 72 catches for 762 yards and 12 touchdowns, setting school records in single-season and career touchdown catches and becoming the first three-time All-American in program history.
Ryan Miller Career
Early Career (2023)
Prior to the 2023 NFL Draft, Miller converted from tight end to wide receiver to improve his professional outlook. After going unselected in the draft, he was signed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent. He was released at the final roster cuts on August 29 and re-signed to the practice squad.
On November 23, 2023, Miller was elevated to the active roster for the team’s Week 13 game against the Carolina Panthers and made his NFL debut in a 21-18 win. On January 23, 2024, he signed a reserve/future contract with the Buccaneers to remain in the organization.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Era (2024-2025)
Miller was waived by the Buccaneers on August 27, 2024, and re-signed to the practice squad before being promoted to the active roster on October 23. On November 4, 2024, in a game against the Kansas City Chiefs, he scored his first career touchdown on a one-yard pass from quarterback Baker Mayfield. On December 22, 2024, playing against the Dallas Cowboys, he caught a 13-yard touchdown pass from Mayfield, pushing his career NFL receiving total past the 100-yard mark.
On September 15, 2025, Miller caught a 20-yard touchdown pass from Mayfield in the Buccaneers’ 20-19 win over the Houston Texans. His role as a red-zone target grew steadily through the 2025 season under Mayfield’s direction, though he remained a depth piece in the Buccaneers’ receiving corps.
New York Giants Era (2025-Present)
On December 10, 2025, Miller was waived by the Buccaneers. One day later, on December 11, 2025, he was claimed off waivers by the New York Giants. The move gave Miller a fresh opportunity in a new offensive system and reunited him with a franchise looking for depth at the wide receiver position.
Joining the Giants late in the season, Miller was expected to contribute on special teams and as a situational pass catcher while adjusting to a new playbook. His experience as a reliable target from his Buccaneers tenure provided a foundation for the transition.
Driving Style and Strengths
Miller brings a tight end’s physicality to the wide receiver position, using his 6-foot-2 frame to win contested catches in traffic and provide a sturdy target underneath. He has shown dependable hands and a willingness to work the middle of the field, traits that have made him a trusted red-zone option for quarterbacks throughout his career.
Notable Events and Milestones
Miller’s most memorable early moments include his first career touchdown against the Kansas City Chiefs in 2024 and his 20-yard score that helped seal a one-point win over the Houston Texans in September 2025. Becoming the first three-time All-American in Furman University history also stands as one of the defining milestones of his football journey.
Ryan Miller Career Wins
Ryan McKnight Miller has built his professional resume on consistent production rather than headline statistics. From his undrafted arrival in Tampa Bay to his midseason move to the New York Giants, his career has been marked by timely touchdowns and a steady presence on special teams and at wide receiver.
NFL Highlights
In his NFL career, Miller has recorded multiple touchdowns as a Buccaneer, beginning with his first score against Kansas City in November 2024. His 13-yard touchdown against Dallas in December 2024 and his 20-yard score against Houston in September 2025 underscored his growing chemistry with quarterback Baker Mayfield. His first NFL win came in his debut with the Buccaneers in Week 13 of the 2023 season against Carolina.
Other Wins & Performances
At Furman, Miller set school records in single-season and career touchdown catches while earning three consecutive All-American honors. He also finished his college career as Furman’s leading receiver in his final two seasons, capping a legacy that made him one of the most decorated players in program history.
Ryan Miller Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Miller comes from a family rich in athletic tradition. His father and his paternal grandfather both played college baseball, while his maternal grandfather played college tennis. His mother also competed as a cheerleader, giving Miller an early appreciation for multiple sports and the discipline that comes with them.
Personal Life
Ryan McKnight Miller grew up in Jackson, Tennessee, and attended the University School of Jackson before moving on to Furman University. He continues to maintain an active presence off the field and remains focused on establishing himself as a long-term contributor at the NFL level.
2025 Season Performance
Miller’s 2025 campaign began with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he continued to operate as a rotational wide receiver and red-zone threat. His 20-yard touchdown against the Houston Texans on September 15 highlighted his value in tight finishes, though his role remained limited as the receiving corps battled injuries and rotation throughout the year.
After being waived on December 10, 2025, Miller was claimed by the New York Giants the following day. The midseason move offered him a new environment and the chance to contribute to a different offensive scheme heading into the final weeks of the regular season.
With the Giants, Miller was expected to add depth at wide receiver and contribute on special teams. Looking ahead, his blend of size, reliable hands, and red-zone experience positions him as a candidate for a more substantial role as he enters the next chapter of his professional career.