Kansas football had two players representing the program during the 2024 NFL Draft. OL Dominick Puni went in the third round to the Super Bowl runners-up San Francisco 49ers, while EDGE Austin Booker was selected in the fifth round by the Chicago Bears. It was one of the most successful drafts in recent KU history.
In addition to the two drafted players, a handful of former Jayhawks signed undrafted free-agent deals after they were not taken. One NFL hopeful who did not hear his name called on draft day was LB Rich Miller, who followed HC Lance Leipold to Lawrence from Buffalo. However, his chances of landing a deal might have been bolstered thanks to some encouraging words from an old friend.
My dawg @richmill3r need to be brought in to let the world know what he can do too
— SAUCE GARDNER (@iamSauceGardner) April 27, 2024
Sauce Gardner has high NFL expectations for former Kansas football LB
That's right — none other than Sauce Gardner advocated for Miller on the social media app X (formerly known as Twitter). He suggested that an NFL team should come to pick him up on a deal so he can display his talents, and the likelihood of that happening is likely significantly higher than it was before he sent that tweet, given Gardner's significant influence.
In just two seasons in the NFL, Gardner has established himself as not only one of the best defensive backs in the NFL but one of the best players overall. He has earned All-Pro First Team and Pro Bowl honors in consecutive years, and he was a unanimous pick for Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2022.
While this might seem like a random occurrence to the average KU fan, the two players competed together at Martin Luther King Jr. Senior High School in Detroit, Michigan. They both graduated in the Class of 2019 and spent their high school careers together. Five years later, they still keep in touch and follow each other on social media.
The Detroit native was an excellent defensive presence when he played at Kansas, recording 231 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, and four sacks across three campaigns. He was named one of the team captains as a senior and was a pivotal leader for his teammates.
Miller did not sign a post-draft contract with a team, but it was announced that he would participate in the Baltimore Ravens minicamp this week and the Bears' next week. From there, he will look to make a practice squad or even a preseason roster to fight for a spot on the 53-man.
Miller later responded to Gardner on Twitter, writing: "I done took the harder way my whole life. Football ain't done yet!!!"