Ohio State lineman Harry Miller uses NIL money to give back
COLUMBUS, Ohio (BVM) — Last July, the NCAA made a perhaps surprising but also long-awaited announcement to allow college athletes to profit on their name, image and likeness. In the ensuing months, college sports have changed as many athletes have taken advantage of the opportunity the new rule brings.
Whether it is a sponsorship deal with Kool-Aid like that of Alabama’s Ga’Quincy McKinstry, Miami quarterback D’Eriq King’s deal with the Florida Panthers, or BYU football’s deal with Built Bar, many college athletes are finally profiting off their talent.
For athletes at one of the most reputable universities in the country in Ohio State, the NIL opportunity seems to be a very profitable endeavor. In fact, head football coach Ryan Day has long been in favor of the rule, even testifying for it early in the summer.
“I’m happy for our guys, this is a wonderful opportunity for them,” Day said during a media availability over the summer after the new rule was put in place. “Certainly, there are some concerns along the way, but the fact that these opportunities now exist, it really is exciting for them and their families.”
One of those Ohio State athletes who has already taken advantage of the new rule is lineman Harry Miller. A four-star recruit from Buford, Georgia, Miller came to Ohio State with high expectations. Primarily a special teams player in 2019 as a freshman, Miller broke through as a seven-game starter for the Big Ten champion Buckeyes last season.
“I think Harry comes back, Harry Miller played the second year, very hard to do at Ohio State, and has come back, he’s really changed his body, had surgery on his shoulder, looks great, had a really good off-season,” Day said during Big Ten media days.
Although health issues and injuries have marred his 2021 campaign, Miller remains a big part of the team’s locker room as a heart-and-soul type player.
Initially, Miller joked that maybe he and some of his teammates with long hair could get a sponsorship deal with Head and Shoulders.
“There’s a good group of guys, maybe there’ll be a group Head and Shoulders deal or something,” Miller said during a media availability prior to the season. “There’s a huge versatility for a lot of markets.”
The lineman is also a fantastic guitar player, perhaps seeking a sponsorship deal in that realm down the road.
If any guitar stores are looking to corner the athlete market, I’m your guy. 🎸 🤘🏼 pic.twitter.com/6wOE5XzLrN
— Harry Miller (@h_miller76) July 1, 2021
Ultimately, Miller went another route with the new NIL rule, and it further proved that he is truly an individual that shines off the field.
Miller has made mission trips to Nicaragua annually since he was in seventh grade with his church group, and has become known by kids in the country as “The Gigantic American.” Recently, he has even invited teammates such as Tommy Eichenberg to join him on trips, and he is working with Athletes in Action on the Ohio State campus to encourage more Buckeye student-athletes to serve whether in Nicaragua or anywhere else they desire.
There, he has gotten to help build structures, give out food, and enjoy spending time with less-fortunate kids in the country, all while gaining life lessons and further appreciating not only the people over there, but all he has back home.
Yet, Miller has sought a new way to give back to the country, something he imagined probably wouldn’t be possible until he was working after college. Previously, Miller would have needed a waiver from the NCAA to accomplish what he has now achieved. However, the NIL rules gave him a new opportunity.
Miller is one of a handful of board members for M4N, or Mission for Nicaragua, which is a non-profit designed to provide various resources to kids in the country. For a limited time this past summer, Miller created an online store to sell clothing apparel with his personal logo on it — the letter “H” within a curved shield.
While many college athletes have profited greatly thus far on their NIL deals, Miller’s company donated 100% of the money he made back to his non-profit, helping kids specifically at a school in Los Brasiles, Nicaragua.
100% of the profits from my store will support my nonprofit, M4N, to provide education, food, medicine, therapy and discipleship for the kids at our school in Los Brasiles, Nicaragua.
Hurry! Only open for two weeks!
Thanks for your support @OhioStateFBhttps://t.co/PmTQ0PnggM— Harry Miller (@h_miller76) July 2, 2021
Through the years, Miller has formed a tight-knit bond with the kids at the school, and being able to give back to them sooner than he imagined while raising a good amount of money is a special personal feat.
THANK YOU! You made the difference in the life of a child living in extreme poverty. We sold 200 items, profited just over $1k for #M4N That’s a lot of food & meds for our kids! Items will ship by 8/4. SO to Adam of Corporate Specialists for #MakingTheMerch
We’ll do it again soon pic.twitter.com/N2rHgumgBs— Harry Miller (@h_miller76) July 26, 2021
For now, this has been Miller’s primary NIL endeavor, and he hopes to see others follow in the path he has set. However, Miller may soon have a chance to give even more back by potentially donating a portion of his salary someday if he becomes an NFL player.
This season, the 6-foot-4 lineman dealt with health issues early on, but returned to suit up after missing the first four games of the year.
“He’s been dealing with some health issues,” Day said during an early-season press conference. “He’s going to come back this week and be part of the team, which we’re all excited about.”
The junior center has still bounced in and out of the lineup throughout the last few weeks. However, he has continued to make more of an impact off the field. Earlier this year, Miller was chosen to be on Allstate’s AFCA Good Works Team, which donated $10,000 to Miller’s cause in Nicaragua.
I’m so blessed to share that I’ve been named to this year’s @Allstate @weareafca #GoodWorksTeam, an amazing opportunity to continue making a positive impact in my community #AllstatePartner pic.twitter.com/gvsF88Etzu
— Harry Miller (@h_miller76) October 20, 2021
The Buckeyes continue to have a strong season on the field, going 8-1 on the year with their only loss coming early in the season to Oregon. Part of the team’s success may very well come from the closeness it has, as Miller noted from the beginning of the year.
“I love being surrounded by such a great group of guys,” Miller said before the season. “It’s so deep, there’s so many guys that I feel so honored to be able to share company with, play with and see everyday. This group is so close and cares about each other so much. I love it.”
Currently, Ohio sits at No. 4 in the College Football Playoff rankings with just three games left on the regular-season schedule, all against ranked opponents.
A Big Ten championship and chance at a national title may await Miller and his team, but so do a lot of opportunities off the field as the lineman has shown.
No matter where his football career goes from here, Miller will continue to make an impact off the field, and likely will initiate more campaigns to give back in Nicaragua. The NIL deal has been beneficial for many athletes thus far, but it is always nice to see a special athlete and individual like Miller give back through a unique opportunity.
