Former Clemson offensive tackle Blake Miller, the first-round pick of the Detroit Lions in the 2026 NFL Draft, threw out the ceremonial first pitch before the Detroit Tigers’ MLB game against the Seattle Mariners on Friday, June 5 at Comerica Park in Detroit.
During the game, Miller joined the Detroit SportsNet television broadcast with commentators Jason Benetti and Andy Dirks.
Miller, a former four-star prospect from Ohio, was asked why he chose to play for Clemson and Dabo Swinney’s program instead of going to play for his home-state Ohio State Buckeyes.
“Honestly, Clemson just called to me,” Miller said. “I can’t say enough good things about Coach Swinney and the culture he’s built there. The staff that they have there is amazing. I loved my time there, so I just can’t say enough good things about it.”
When he committed to Clemson on Oct. 28, 2020, Miller became the first member of Clemson’s 2022 recruiting class to commit to the Tigers.
The highly touted offensive lineman, who was a national top-125 prospect per Rivals, chose Clemson over Ohio State, Michigan, Auburn, Florida and numerous other prominent programs on his lengthy offer list.
During the TV broadcast interview, Miller was asked if Ohio State called during the recruiting process, and he noted that the Buckeyes did indeed recruit him. But Clemson set itself apart from Ohio State and the pack of other suitors that courted him during the process.
“I went on a visit there [to Ohio State] and the whole nine yards, but Clemson did it for me,” Miller said.
Miller was asked what it is about Swinney that made Miller want to suit up for him and Clemson.
“I think the program he’s built, how invested everybody is in that program, and everyone’s rowing in the same direction, and he’s just authentic, Miller said. “Everyone on that staff is authentic, and it really called to me.”
It’s safe to say the decision to be a Clemson Tiger worked out well for Miller, as he blossomed into a first-round NFL Draft pick. He was the first Clemson player to come off the board in April’s draft, when the Lions took him with the No. 17 overall selection.
Miller became the first Clemson offensive lineman selected in first round in the Common Draft era, which was instituted jointly by the AFL and NFL in 1967.
He is the first Clemson offensive lineman selected in the first round in any NFL Draft since 1960, when the New York Giants selected Lou Cordileone with the No. 12 overall selection in the first round.
“It’s such a blessing to be in this position, and I’m just thankful to the good Lord for blessing me,” Miller said of being a first-round pick.
Miller was a mainstay on Clemson’s offensive line for the last four seasons, breaking the Clemson record for career snaps from scrimmage by playing 3,778 offensive snaps over 54 career games (all starts) from 2022-25.
The three-time All-ACC selection started every game Clemson played in his entire four-year career and set the Clemson record for consecutive starts by a non-specialist with 54.