Georgia defensive Lineman Christen Miller announced that he was entering the transferring portal on Wednesday Night. He tweeted this Wednesday evening and confirmed he was entering the transfer portal later on.
Thank you UGA For Eavrything ❤️🙏🏿
— Christen Miller (@fatchr7s) April 24, 2024
However, in the fast-moving, slam-bang, world of the portal, Miller backtracked early this morning and decided to remain at Georgia, tweeting out that he's going to finish what he started.
Gotta finish what I started with My bruddas ❤️ #GoDawgs https://t.co/BzoMPwDgzm
— Christen Miller (@fatchr7s) April 25, 2024
Miller played in a reserve role for the Bulldogs last season, appearing in 13 games with 14 tackles and 4 tackles for loss on the year as a redshirt freshman after appearing in just four games his true freshman year.
Miller was likely set up for a bigger role this year and is going to get significant playing time throughout the year at a position of need for the Dawgs. Had Miller left, it would have made Georgia weaker on the D-Line which is tough because it was arguably their biggest weakness a year ago.
It is believed that Miller entered the portal for NIL purposes and was looking to get more money to play for UGA this year. This tweet from Graham Coffey shows Miller rapping about NIL just a few days ago.
UGA DT Christen Miller has told @Hayesfawcett3 that he’s hitting the portal.
— Graham Coffey (@GrahamCoffeyDC) April 24, 2024
He posted a video of him rapping on Instagram four days ago. It included the following line…
“I can’t say no names, that’s how you get killed. I can’t sleep at night, thinking bout that NIL.” pic.twitter.com/s8wXxZCJR6
So it would appear that Kirby Smart was able to meet Miller's NIL needs after all.
The spring portal is only open until April 30th, when all players -- including graduate transfers -- must declare or stay where they are, so let's hope there is no more bad news on that front for UGA.