NHLRecap
NHL Playoffs: Penalty Kills Shine as Hurricanes Win Game 3 Over Senators
Hurricanes take a 3-0 series lead with 2-1 win over Senators in Game 3.
Yahoo Sports1 min read
NFL
Detroit Lions select Clemson OL Blake Miller in 1st Round of NFL Draft
TL;DR
The Detroit Lions selected Clemson offensive lineman Blake Miller with the 17th pick in the NFL Draft, making him the first OL from Clemson drafted in the first round during the Super Bowl era. Miller was a four-year starter and known for his toughness and work ethic.
Key points
- Blake Miller selected 17th by Detroit Lions in NFL Draft
- First Clemson OL drafted in first round in Super Bowl era
- Four-year starter with record for most games started
- Earned All-ACC and Freshman All-American honors every year
- Known for toughness and work ethic
Mentioned in this story
Detroit LionsClemson Tigers
NFL Draft
CLEMSON, SOUTH CAROLINA - MARCH 12: Blake Miller #78 of the Clemson Tigers in action during 3 - cone shuttle at Pro Day at Allen N. Reeves Football Complex on March 12, 2026 in Clemson, South Carolina. (Photo by Katie DeVaney/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The first Tiger off the board is not who you might have expected. The Detroit Lions selected offensive lineman Blake Miller with the 17th pick in the first round. Miller is the first OL from Clemson to be drafted in the first round in the Super Bowl era. Let that sink in for a moment.
Miller was a 4 year starter at Clemson, eventually breaking the record for most games started in his senior year. He arrived on campus from the Cleveland area (Potential New Heights guest???) after choosing the Tigers over the local Ohio State Buckeyes. Once on campus he quickly locked down a spot on the Clemson OL, a spot he would hold his entire time here. While at Clemson he earned All-ACC or Freshman All-American honors every year. His presence was the lone positive on a Clemson OL that was inconsistent at the best of times. His career culminated in an excellent senior year where he was responsible for only 2 sacks and a handful of QB pressures in 2025.
The Detroit Lions are getting a perfect cultural fit. Miller is known for his toughness, in pre-draft reports scouts mentioned how he only missed a single practice in his entire college career, and that was after a broken wrist during spring practice that required surgery. Heās the perfect fit for Dan Campbell and the culture heās instilled in Detroit. His upbringing and work ethic will mesh well with the Motor City and he seems like an excellent candidate to lock down a position on the OL for years to come.
In the NFL Miller is going to need to work on his style, He played fairly upright in college, but his athleticism saved him. That wonāt happen in the NFL. Most of his improvement is going to be a function of technique. Thankfully his mindset shows he can take coaching well and should find success at RT for the Lions
Q&A
What pick did the Detroit Lions use to select Blake Miller?
The Detroit Lions selected Blake Miller with the 17th pick in the first round of the NFL Draft.
What are Blake Miller's achievements during his college career at Clemson?
Blake Miller was a four-year starter at Clemson, earning All-ACC and Freshman All-American honors every year, and he set a record for the most games started in his senior year.
How does Blake Miller fit into the Detroit Lions' culture?
Blake Miller is considered a perfect cultural fit for the Detroit Lions due to his toughness and work ethic, aligning well with coach Dan Campbell's team philosophy.