March 28, 2024

Miller signs to play WP football

Knowing he wanted to continue playing football after high school, Newton High senior Josh Miller made it possible on Friday. Miller signed a national letter of intent to play football for William Penn University in Oskaloosa.

“There college fits me. They have small class sizes and their teachers are very good with the students,” Miller said of his decision to sign with William Penn.

“And their football program is very good although they didn’t have a strong year last year. They are recruiting a younger class to go with a strong senior class. Their coaches are really good.”

William Penn, an NAIA Division I program, is under the direction of 15-year head coach Todd Hafner. In 2018, the Statesmen were 4-7 overall and 2-3 in Heart of America Athletic Conference play, tying for third. William Penn won the conference championship in 2016.

William Penn assistant coach Aaron Hinnah said Miller had been on the Statesmen’s recruiting radar early then made a late push for Miller. Hinnah coaches slot backs for WP.

“We’d be fools to miss out on Josh as talented as he is,” Hinnah said. “Among all the kids we’ve recruited in-state or out of state, he is one of our top guys, and it shows in his play.”

Miller led the Cardinals with 959 yards on 113 carries in a 5-4 2018 season in Class 3A competition. Miller was a part of a three-year stretch of winning seasons for Newton — 18-9 — two of which were against 4A competition.

Miller was named a 3A all-state third-team running back by the Iowa Print Sports Writers Association. He shared the football in the Newton backfield with six other players throughout the season and the Cardinals rushed for a 3A-high 3,105 yards. He scored 12 of the team’s 38 rushing touchdowns.

Miller ended a three-year varsity career with the Cardinals with 1,732 yards rushing on 113 carries and had 20 touchdowns. He caught six passes for 62 yards in two seasons with one touchdown reception. He scored 72 points in his senior season and finished with 128 points in his career.

“I want to try to get a spot as a running back on offense there but I’m not sure if I’ll be the right size for them. So, I’m also looking to play as a defensive back,” Miller said. “I just want to go in there, work really hard and see what I can do for them.”

Miller hasn’t played much defense the past few years at Newton because the Cardinals were able to platoon on offense and defense. He does have three solo tackles and three assisted tackles. He did return kickoffs with 10 returns for 132 yards in two seasons.

“Josh has the skill set we’re looking for — speed, athleticism, willingness to stick your nose in there and not afraid to hit someone,” Hinnah said. “One of the biggest upsides for Josh is we see him contributing right away on special teams.”

Hinnah said it is tough to come in and play as an offensive or defensive starter as a freshman at William Penn. He said that doesn’t mean Miller can’t come in and win a starting spot. It’s just tough to do.

“If he comes in and is the best at the spot he wants to play, he will play. We play the best player no matter freshman, sophomore, junior or senior at a position,” Hinnah said. “We’re just excited Josh is coming to be part of our program.

Miller, who earned Class 3A District 7 All-District first-team honors, helped lead the Cardinals to a 5-4 season in 2018. They were third in District 7 at 3-2 behind Oskaloosa and Pella, who both went 8-2.

One of the seniors on the William Penn football team this fall is former Newton standout Tyler Wood, who was the Statesmen’s starting quarterback in 2018. Also on the squad is another former Cardinal standout Jace Lukefahr, who will be a sophomore offensive lineman.

Miller is the son of Debbie and Jeff Miller of Newton. He plans to pursue a degree in exercise science and a minor in business at William Penn.

Contact Jocelyn Sheets at
641-792-3121 ext. 6535
or jsheets@newtondailynews.com