From the Sideline to the Spotlight: King Miller’s Quiet Rise
Julius Johnston, USC Football Communications Student Assistant
11/7/2025
King Miller was standing on the sideline of his pee-wee football game feeling sad and left out.
“My earliest memory of football isn’t even a good one,” he said. “I was invited to play in the All-Star game and ended up not playing a single snap.”
Standing on the sideline with his helmet in hand, Miller then realized that he was going to have to work harder to see more action on the field.
“It really taught me that nothing is just going be given to you,” he said emphatically. “No matter what you want, you're going have to work hard to get it. That still drives me to this day.”
That early disappointment didn’t deter future USC running back Miller from his goals. Rather it built him a foundation.
Growing up in a tight knit family that preached perseverance and humility, Miller learned early that hard work was the only path forward.
As a family of four brothers, the competition in his household was constant, but also, the love ran deep. What one Miller did, the others followed, not out of rivalry, but out of brotherhood.
“Whether it was causing a ruckus around the house or my mom sending us outside to go shoot the basketball, we were always doing something together,” Miller said reminiscing.
The brothers' bond only became stronger as the years passed, especially between Miller and his twin, Kaylon. The twins, who already were inseparable from birth, shared not just a love for football, but a drive to see each other succeed no matter where the game took them.
Little did they know, that drive would lead them to their dream school together as preferred walk-ons.
On a routine drive back home after football practice, the brothers received a call that would change their lives forever.
“It kind of didn't even feel real at that moment,” recalled Miller. “Kaylon and I were going back and forth, like, ‘Did you get that call too?’ We were instantly filled with joy because this is what we always had dreamed of.”
Earning a spot at USC was just the beginning for Miller. After redshirting his freshman year in 2024, Miller looked to compete for playing time in 2025. ‘
The first opportunity to showcase his talents came is USC’s season debut against Missouri State. The redshirt freshman took his third carry of his Trojan career for a thrilling 75 -yard touchdown in front of a crowd at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Miller finished the game with 4 carries for 80 yards (20.0 avg.) and a touchdown.
The moment was made even more special, because Kaylon was also on the field, blocking for his twin and allowing him to score.
“Just taking in that moment, especially with my twin brother in the Coliseum, that's our dream come true. It was even more special to go out there, execute a play that to that caliber and actually meet Kaylon in the end zone. It’s a moment I'll never forget,” Miller said proudly.
After the Trojan victory, USC head coach Lincoln Riley presented the twins with game balls.
Later in the season, following an unlucky series of injuries at running back in the first half against Michigan, Miller was called upon to step up. He burst onto the scene, not skipping a beat, and led the Trojans with 18 carries for a career-high 158 yards (8.8 avg.) and a touchdown.
His 158 rushing yards were more than any team had rushed against Michigan all year. Additionally, his 158 rushing yards are believed to be the most rushing yards by a Trojan walk-on since at least the 1970s. Miller is the first USC walk-on to score a touchdown since tailback Jess Holguin scored on a 7-yard run versus California in 1994 (61-0 win). His 158 rushing yards were also the most rushing yards by a USC running back versus a ranked opponent since 2017 when running back Ronald Jones II tallied 194 yards versus No. 23 Arizona.
So far this season, Miller has accumulated 65 carries for 509 yards (7.8 avg.) and 4 touchdowns.
Miller’s ability to step up when his number was called is a testament to how he prepares for games.
It all starts with the music. While many players blast high-energy hype songs before a game, Miller prefers the opposite. His playlist isn’t about intensity, but rather, he listens to music that calms him down.
“Before a game, I’m probably listening to Al Green,” he noted. “I'm more of an at ease, peaceful kind of guy.”
The calming presence of the music Miller listens to during pregame isn’t just a routine, it’s a reflection who he is at his core. He calls himself “old school”, a mindset shaped by the people and environment that raised him.
“Everything about me – from the music I listen to, to how I was raised — was old school. I just like laying back, chilling and just doing my thing,” he said with a laugh.
Much of that foundation came from his grandmother, who played a central role throughout his childhood. During stretches of elementary and middle school, Miller and his brothers lived with her. His grandmother’s influence didn’t just shape how he carries himself, but it shaped the man he’s become.
“I have so much love for my granny. She helped me grow into the man I am. I never want to see her struggle after all she did for me and my brothers. She makes me want to go even harder to make sure she and my parents never have to worry about anything,” said Miller with a smile.
The kid who was once overlooked on the sideline is now the one answering the call. Guided by family values and a quiet, steady confidence, King Miller’s bet on himself has paid off. He continues to carve out his place on the USC Football team with purpose — his way, the old-school way.
