Cal Football: Big Changes in Barrett Miller's Life Began With Move From Stanford to Berkeley
Barrett Miller had played his four football seasons for Stanford, starting 30 games along the offensive line. He had his degree in mechanical engineering and was ready for what came next.
“I actually was retired. I thought my four years were done,” he said.
Miller also had a sore left knee, so he opted to finally have surgery after three years of pain. His doctor repaired some cartilage and the results were beyond his expectations.
“It feels phenomenal now,” Miller said. “Go figure, the time I stopped playing football I had no knee pain. So I figured why not keep playing.”
The 6-foot-5, 310-pound native of Colorado will play his final year of college ball at Cal. He arrived on campus one month ago and admits he’s still learning the names of his new teammates.
New Cal offensive lineman Barrett Miller
Photo by Al Sermeno, KLC fotos
Stanford had just made a coaching change, hiring former Cal star quarterback Troy Taylor to run the program. “I thought I would explore things,” Miller said, “see what’s out there because it felt like around this coaching change I might want to leave on my own terms.”
He entered his name into the transfer portal and Cal was among the first to respond.
“At first I thought, I can’t do it,” he said. “I started talking to my teammates, especially O-line, and they said, `Barrett, you have my blessing to go wherever you want.’
"They understood. That was the biggest thing. I spent four years with them, was so tight with them. It would be a dishonor for me to do something so blatant to them.”
So he crossed the Bay and visited Berkeley, met coaches and players and developed a quick comfort level.
“Before you knew it I fell in love with the team, this atmosphere and it was a done deal for me,” he said.
So after four years at Stanford, how much of a Golden Bear has he become in a month?
“Pretty Golden,” he said. “I fit in just well. I kept my California flow and it was a nice, easy move for me.”
Big Game week in November will present an unusual dynamic, Miller expects. Cal plays at Stanford on Nov. 18.
“I’m just thinking about how personal it might be.” he said. “At the same time, that’s my last official game at Stanford Stadium — a lot of people call it the library. I can make jokes now since I’m at Cal.”
New Cal offensive line coach Mike Bloesch said he’s excited by what Miller has shown so far.
“Obviously, you see the guy’s played a lot of football,” Bloesch said. “He did not go through spring ball, here or at his last school. So it’s been a while since he’s played. But I think he’s a guy who’s going to get better every single day over the next 29 days before we get ready to play at North Texas.
“As he’s working himself into shape, learning the offense and how we do things, meeting all his teammates, so far I’ve seen a great attitude, a great work ethic and a guy that’s hungry to come in here and help us win.”
Miller didn’t come to Cal to sit, but says practice so far has been very competitive.
“I’m not sure what to expect but I’m loving all of it. I love the guys,” he said. "There’s a little stigma of coming here to take someone’s job so it’s hard to bond. At the same time, they welcome me easily.
“There is a little chit-chat here and there about Stanford, the trees and all that stuff. But they’re open arms with me.”
Miller played left guard his first three seasons at Stanford, then saw action at right guard and both tackles spots last fall because of injuries to others. He was at left tackle during Friday’s Cal practice but his ultimate position is not yet determined.
“I think my key is versatility but I’ve only been here for a month,” he said.
Barrett Miller takes a knee to propose to girlfriend Jessica Blethen.
The move from Stanford to Cal actually wasn’t even the biggest change in Miller’s life.
After moving to Berkeley, he flew his girlfriend of six years, Jessica Blethen, out to the Bay Area to surprise her with a question.
He explains how things went down in the video below:
“I figured if I’m going to start a big journey here, new college, new life," Miller said, "I'd start as an engaged fiancé."
Cover photo of new Cal offensive lineman Barrett Miller
Follow Jeff Faraudo of Cal Sports Report on Twitter: @jefffaraudo
